Kazakhstan & Hong Kong, China Kick-off Asia Rugby Women’s Championship

The national XVs women’s teams of Hong Kong, China and Kazakhstan are set to clash this afternoon, kicking off the 12th Asia Rugby Women’s Championship at the Almaty Sports Training Complex in Abaya Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Head-to-head, the hosts are ahead, the teams have locked horns five times, Kazakhstan’s won three and Hong Kong China two.

The teams played their first test in November 2009 in Singapore: Kazakhstan prevailed in the debut match 58 – 14.

Overall, in the five encounters Kazakhstan’s scored 140 points vis-à-vis Hong Kong China’s 69; the average scoreline stands at 28 – 14 in the Kazakh women’s favour.

Moreover, Kazakhstan’s biggest margin of victory is 44 points (58 – 14 in November 2009) whereas Hong Kong China’s is 14 (31 – 17 in December 2022).

On the other hand, Hong Kong China’s is bridging the gap: the last time the teams clashed, in December 2022 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong China edged Kazakhstan – but only by the slimmest margin, a mere conversion’s worth, 14 – 12.

The inaugural Asia Rugby Women’s Championship in 2006 was hosted by China in Kunming, with the hosts taking gold in the first ever ARWC. Since then, Kazakhstan has won the Championship five times, Japan four times, and China and Hong Kong China once each.

The winner of this latest encounter this afternoon will face Japan – the third and top-rated team in the Championship (Japan are ranked 11th globally, Hong Kong, China 16th and Kazakhstan 19th) to determine the tournament champion on Sunday 28th May.

A special Message from the Asia Rugby President

“ I am honored to announce the upcoming Asia Rugby Women’s Championship, a celebration of strength, skill, and unity. We will see the best female rugby players in Asia compete for the ultimate prize, champions of Asia.

This championship embodies incredible growth and progress of women’s rugby in our region and globally. We are committed not only to empowering female athletes and showcasing their exceptional talent on the pitch but creating opportunities at all levels for women in rugby.

We aim to inspire generations and pave the way for a more inclusive and equal future. Join us as we witness the extraordinary display of athleticism and camaraderie in this exhilarating tournament”

Both matches of the 2023 Asia Rugby Women’s Championship will be broadcast live on Asia Rugby’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, with highlights along with behind-the-scenes footage shared on Asia Rugby’s Instagram page. Click on any of the links above to catch all the action.

Starting Line ups:

Kazakhstan

Yelena YUROVA

Kxenya KIM

Natalya KAMENDROVSKAYA

Daiana KAZIBEKOVA

Symbat ZHAMANKULOVA

Liliya KIBISHEVA

Anzhelika PICHUGINA

8 Karina SANZONTOVA

Mariya GRISHINA

Diana ABISHEVA

Veronika STEPANYUGA,

Anna MELNIKOVA

Ludmila SHERER

Amina TULEGENOVA

Gulim BAKYTBEK

Karina TANKISHEVA

Moldir ASKHAT

Darya SIMAKOVA

Svetlana MALEZHINA

Milana ALAYEVA

Alyona DROBOVSKAYA

Vlada ODNOLETOK

Anna MELNIKOVA

Manager – Nurlan BALBARAKOV

Coach – Anna YAKOVLEVA

Asst Coach – Svetlana KLUYCHNIKOVA

Physio – Arli MENJHOU

Doctor – Sergey GRANKO

Hong Kong , China

Ki Sum NG

Tim Yeung, Iris LAM

Ka Shun LEE

Roshini Jane TURNER

Mei Nam CHOW

Wai Yan PUN

Nim Yan Melody Blessing LI

Tsz Yan LAM

Jessica Wai On HO

Aileen RYAN

Ka Yan CHONG

Jiayu QIAN

Natasha OLSON-THORNE

Ka Man NAM,

Rosanna Jean WRIGHT

Fion Yuei-Tein GOT

Hiu Tung CHAN

Megan Rachel RICHARDSON

Chloe Noelle BALTAZAR

Sin Yi AU YEUNG

King To AU

Hoi Ching FUNG

Zoe SMITH

Manager – Yuk Lin KWOK

Coach – Royce CHAN LEONG SZE

Asst Coach – Sam BEARD

Asst Coach – Sam HOCKING

S&C – lan BONNET

Physio – Sophie RAINE

Doctor – Jonathan Mitchell MOSES

Analyst – Andy YUEN KIN HO

>> WATCH LIVE – Hong Kong , China v Kazakhstan, Asia Rugby Women’s Championship 🏆