Asian Games 2018 in Indonesia: First round favours SL

The Sri Lankan Sevens rugby outfit, which is currently in France preparing for the Asian Games 2018, will have a relatively easy first round as they will need to see off only South Korea and the UAE in the group stages of the games played in Indonesia from 30 August to 1 September.

The official draw for the Asian Games 2018 took place last week in Jakarta, with 11 men’s and eight women’s sides involved. The draw, conducted by Asia Rugby General Manager Ross Mitchell, saw the pools determined for the competition which takes place from 30 August-1 September. In the men’s draw, Hong Kong head Pool A alongside China, Thailand and Pakistan. Following their recent qualification for the HSBC World Series Sevens, Japan top Pool B and will face Taipei, Indonesia and Commonwealth Games participants Malaysia.

Sri Lanka, who also competed in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, are in Pool C with South Korea and the UAE.

The women’s competition will be worked off in two groups, with China, also recent qualifiers for the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, topping Pool A. They are joined by Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea. Japan, who were relegated from the women’s series, are set to play Kazakhstan, Thailand and Indonesia. (SJ)