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[sojukettle]

Asia to launch Five Nations rugby tournament
February 22, 2008 - 9:53AM

Asian rugby officials formally launched a flagship pan-Asian annual rugby tournament today, modelled on Europe's Six Nations in a bid to accelerate the sport's development in the world's most populous continent.

The Asian Five Nations series which kicks off in April, will feature five Asian teams including top-ranked Japan, the Arabian Gulf, Hong Kong, South Korea and Kazakhstan.

"The tournament is vital for the development and expansion of rugby throughout Asia and will give our elite players the chance to perform in front of a significantly expanded TV audience," Asian Rugby Football Union honorary secretary general Ross Mitchell told a news conference.

While teams in Europe's Six Nations are fixed, the Asian tournament allows the possibility of promotion and relegation.

A culturally diverse scrum of 20 other Asian nations, ranging from China and India to Iran, Uzbekistan, Cambodia and Guam will have the chance to fight their way into the top five.

"I think it will have a positive effect," Former English winger Rory Underwood told Reuters.

But Underwood, of mixed English and Chinese parentage, said Asia still had a long way to go in producing teams good enough to compete on the world stage in events like the Rugby World Cup.

"It's going to take a long, long time, it's not going to happen overnight," England's all time record try-scorer added.

Reuters

[Rapacious Mr. Batstove]

It's awesome that this tournament is becoming official.

I'm surprised China isn't part of the fixture. There is no doubt that Japan will dominate this tournament. Hopefully it will inspire the Korean Rugby Union to wake up see that it's pure blood recruiting policy is holding back it's country's sporting potential. There are a lot of great rugby players here that would be eligable under IRB law to play for Korea.

[Len8]

Who?

Taiwan and Siri Lanka rugby teams were here for the Asian games, and they put up a pretty good fight. They could also hold their own in an Asian tournament. Wonder if it will go professional.