What Is 2021 Asia Rugby Sevens Series

Overview

The 2021 Asia Rugby Sevens Series was a premier regional competition for men's and women's rugby sevens teams across Asia, organized by Asia Rugby. The series served as a critical platform for national teams to earn ranking points and qualify for global tournaments such as the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.

With three legs hosted across the United Arab Emirates and Thailand, the series brought together top-tier rugby nations from the region. Despite pandemic-related disruptions, the event successfully concluded with Japan and Thailand claiming the men's and women's titles respectively.

• Three legs were held: Dubai (October 23–24), Al Ain (October 30–31), and Bangkok (December 11–12), forming the complete 2021 circuit.
• Twelve men's teams participated, including Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Sri Lanka, competing for regional supremacy and World Cup qualification.
• Eight women's teams took part, with Thailand, China, and Japan emerging as top contenders throughout the series.
• The series was officially sanctioned by Asia Rugby, the continental governing body affiliated with World Rugby, ensuring standardized rules and officiating.
• All matches were played under World Rugby Sevens rules, including seven-minute halves and tiebreakers through sudden-death overtime if needed.

How It Works

The Asia Rugby Sevens Series operates as a cumulative points-based tournament across multiple legs, with standings determined by team performance at each stop. Points are awarded based on final placement, encouraging consistent performance throughout the series.

• Points System: Teams earn points based on final standings at each leg. For example, 20 points are awarded to the winner, 18 to second place, down to 1 point for 12th place.
• Qualification Pathway: The series acts as a direct qualifier for events like the Rugby World Cup Sevens; the top teams earn automatic berths.
• Team Rosters: Each national team fields 12 players per tournament, with squads often rotated across legs to manage player workload.
• Tournament Format: Each leg follows a pool stage followed by knockout rounds, with teams seeded based on previous performance and rankings.
• Refereeing Standards: Matches are officiated by World Rugby-certified referees, ensuring consistency and fairness across all games.
• Women's Inclusion: Since 2012, the women's competition has run parallel to the men's, with equal event status and shared hosting arrangements.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the three legs of the 2021 Asia Rugby Sevens Series, highlighting key details such as location, dates, and winners.

The table illustrates how Japan dominated the men's competition by winning the first two legs, while Hong Kong claimed the final leg but fell short in total points. Thailand secured the women's title by winning two of the three legs, showcasing regional depth in women's rugby.

Why It Matters

The 2021 Asia Rugby Sevens Series played a pivotal role in advancing rugby across Asia, providing competitive opportunities and global exposure. It also helped nations prepare for higher-stakes international events.

• Development Pathway: The series serves as a stepping stone for emerging rugby nations like Malaysia and the Philippines to gain experience.
• Global Qualification: Performance in the series determined seeding and qualification for the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.
• Women's Growth: The inclusion of a full women's circuit supports gender equity and has boosted participation in countries like China and India.
• Regional Rivalries: Matches between Japan and Hong Kong have become marquee fixtures, increasing fan engagement and media coverage.
• Economic Impact: Hosting legs in Dubai and Bangkok brought tourism and regional investment to rugby infrastructure.
• Pandemic Resilience: Successfully holding the series in 2021 demonstrated organizational adaptability amid travel and health restrictions.

Overall, the 2021 series reinforced Asia's growing presence in world rugby and set the stage for future expansion and competitiveness on the global stage.