Japan’s men remain on course to defend their gold medal as they swept into the last four of the Asian Games Rugby Sevens competition without having conceded a try all tournament.
Japan eased past Chinese Taipei 57-0 in Wednesday’s quarter-final, after which Michael Leitch declared that his team was getting better as the tournament progressed. “The guys who have joined from the (Fifteens) Top League, myself included, are just getting into their stride.” said Leitch, who captains the Brave Blossoms in Fifteens.
The Japanese will meet Sri Lanka in Thursday’s semi-finals for the right to play either in-form Hong Kong or hosts Korea in the final. Japan defeated Hong Kong 28-21 to win the gold medal four years ago.
Hong Kong warded off a physical challenge from the Philippines to win their quarter-final 21-0. A brace from Tom McQueen and a try from his brother Alex was enough to see Hong Kong book a place in the semi-finals against Korea. “Everyone wants to take a shot at us and I guess this is a mark of respect,” said Hong Kong head coach Gareth Baber. “But we are battle-hardened and very pleased to be in the semi-finals.”
Korea were given a few anxious moments by Thailand before pulling away to post a 31-12 victory. In the other quarter-final, Sri Lanka and China were locked together at 19-19 before a 50-metre try from speedster Mithun Hapugoda settled the tie in Sri Lanka’s favour in extra-time.
China and HK women remain unbeaten
In the women’s competition, hot favourites and defending champions China will meet Kazakhstan in one semi-final while the other will be contested between Hong Kong and Japan.
China underlined their title credentials with a crucial 28-7 win over Japan in the pool stages, and, like Hong Kong, they completed the first two days of competition unbeaten. A brace from Yu Xiaoming and one each from Lu Yuanyuan and Zhou Lilian was enough to ward off Japan who trailed 21-0 at half-time.
Two tries from flying winger Aggie Poon Pak Yan saw Hong Kong edge past Kazakhstan, 12-7. Poon Pak Yan scored either side of the break, but it was her second try which made all the difference as she stepped through the defence to touch down with just over a minute to go.
“This is what we aimed for (topping the pool) initially and we have done that. I think we now have a good chance against Japan,” head coach Anna Richards said.
“We controlled the game pretty well against Kazakhstan but put ourselves under needless pressure at times with a few mistakes. We need to steady things but overall I thought we played a good game.
“I think we are playing better than we did in the Asian Sevens Series. The girls have now got a bit more confidence and they have to keep believing in themselves. Japan are a good side: they tackle well and have a good structure. It is going to be a tough match no matter what, but we have a good shot (at reaching the gold medal match).”
At the end of day two in Incheon, Japan captain Katsuyuki Sakai remains atop the leading points-scorer’s table in the men’s competition with 63 from three tries and 24 conversions, while Hong Kong’s Tom McQueen is in second on 40 points from eight tries, followed by Japan’s Lomano Lemeki on 35 points from seven tries.
China’s Yu Xiaoming tops the women’s points table on 59 from five tries and 17 conversions. Hong Kong’s Poon Pak Yan is second with 47 from seven tries and six conversions.
