Boots and all | ARFU’s philosophical change a boon for Asia’s big three
Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said “the only thing that is constant is change”. We were reminded of that quote when it was revealed next year’s Asian Five Nations Top Five competition will shrink to a Top Three.
Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said “the only thing that is constant is change”. We were reminded of that quote when it was revealed next year’s Asian Five Nations Top Five competition will shrink to a Top Three.
While this will be a big boon for Hong Kong, who will get the chance to play Japan and South Korea on a home-and-away basis, spare a thought for the rest or the region.
The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Singapore, United Arab Emirates have all rubbed shoulders with the elite in Asia, but no more. And it’s mainly because of the loss of sponsor HSBC.
Until we can invest monies, it is better we go down this [Top Three] path for there is no joy in getting beaten by more than 50 or 60 points
The Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) has done itself proud providing an annual competition for its 28 members and this will continue in some form. But at the top it will be a more select membership with Japan, perennial winners of the A5N, second-placed Hong Kong and Korea forming the elite.
This decision was a collective one. ARFU general secretary Asanga Seneviratne said the rest of Asia could not match the Top Three at 15s, although great strides had been made to close the gap in sevens.
“All three unions – Japan, Hong Kong and Korea – are ahead of the rest and it is for the betterment of everybody that this decision was taken,” Seneviratne said. “Countries like Japan and Hong Kong have high-performance rugby centres, something the rest of us don’t have.
“Until we can invest monies in that, it is better we go down this path for there is no joy in getting beaten by more than 50 or 60 points,” he said.