Sri Lanka Youth in must-win game

Tuesday, 18 December 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Asia Rugby Championship Under-19 tournament

Hong Kong are in a must-win game to keep their JWRT hopes alive for 2019

The Sri Lanka Youth rugby outfit under Gemunu Chethiya will feel pressure to pull off a win in their Asia Rugby Championship Under-19 encounter against South Korea, which will take place at the Municipal Stadium in Taipei today, in order to avoid demotion to Division I in 2019.

Sri Lanka lost 15-17 to hosts Taipei and were later on demolished 48-15 by defending champions Hong Kong in a one-sided affair.

Taipei and Hong Kong will battle it in the other game. The winner of this event will book a slot as the Asian representative at the Junior World Rugby Tournament (JWRT) in Argentina. Hong Kong have won this segment for the last five consecutive years.

Taipei lead the points table with eight points followed by Hong Kong (6 points), Korea (5 points) and Sri Lanka (1 point). The top three teams - Taipei, South Korea and Hong Kong - got an opportunity to qualify for the JWRT while Sri Lanka will need a win to survive in the top end of the tournament next year as well. (SJ)