Both sides had beaten Kazakhstan and Arabian Gulf while losing to Japan, but Hong Kong’s hopes of claiming a victory to leapfrog Korea in the standings disappeared with their visitors’ fast start at King’s Park. Article by AGRFU Press

Korea had stretched their advantage to 35-7 by half time and although Hong Kong scored three tries in the last quarter through Kenzo Pannell, Simon Leung and Jon Abel, the damage had been done in the first half.

“We missed three tackles and that cost us 24 points,” admitted Hong Kong coach John Walters. “We didn’t touch the ball in the first half. Our poor start cost us hugely and it was hard to play catch-up rugby.”

Korea’s 27-20 loss on their last visit to Hong Kong in the Asian Nations Series in 2007 proved to be a motivation for the victory with centre Kim Sung Soo (2), wing Kim Hyun Woo, full back Chae Jae Young, hooker Kim Tae Hyung and prop Heo Woong scoring their six tries.

“We were shocked to lose last year and that was our motivation today. We wanted to avenge that defeat and as the scoreline shows, we have done that,” Korea captain Kim Kwang Mo said afterwards.

First win key for Kazakhstan

The other match on the final weekend was equally important for the sides involved with Kazakhstan and Arabian Gulf facing off in Almaty knowing that whoever achieved a first Asian Five Nations victory would avoid relegation to Division One for next season.

That turned out to be the Arabian Gulf as Kazakhstan, inspired by a 31-point haul from their full back Maxim Lifontov, continued their development with an impressive 56-27 victory on home soil in their capital Almaty.

Lifontov´s haul included a hat-trick of tries, two penalties and five conversions saw him end the competition as the leading point scorer with 55 over the four matches and Kazakhstan finish fourth in the Top Five with seven points.

Seventeen of Lifontov´s points came in the first half as wing Yuloy Romanov, prop Vladimir Chernyk, flanker Anton Rudoy and the full back ensured Kazakhstan led 32-8 at half time with number 8 David Clark scoring Arabian Gulf´s only try.

Lifontov claimed two of Kazakhstan´s four second half tries, while Arabian Gulf touched down through wings Francois Coetzee and Ayman Razek and replacement James Tometzki to secure a bonus point - their first point in the competition.

Arabian Gulf slip out of the Top Five with their place in 2009 being taken by the winner of the Division 1, which takes place from 4-9 November and involves China, host nation Chinese Taipei, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

The inaugural Asian Five Nations also features Division 2 - to be contested by India, Malaysia, Pakistan and host country Thailand in Bangkok from 10-15 June - and four regional tournaments held in Guam, Indonesia, Qatar and Uzbekistan.

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