The Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Junior Championship kicks off in Brunei on Friday with six teams hoping to claim the region’s spot at the inaugural IRB Junior World Trophy in Chile next April.
Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Korea and Sri Lanka will meet in the Junior Cup competition, with the winner to join host nation Chile, Uruguay, Jamaica, Namibia, Georgia and Romania at the eight-team IRB Junior World Trophy.
Six others - hosts Brunei, Chinese Taipei, India, Laos, the Philippines and the Arabian Gulf - will contest the Junior Trophy with the winner promoted to the Cup competition for next year’s ARFU Junior Championship.
The tournament, which runs until 22 December, does not feature Japan as they are already confirmed as Asia’s representatives at the IRB Junior World Championship in Wales in June 2008 - the top tier of the new Under 20 competitions.
Hong Kong are one side taking part and coach Ivan Torpey knows that they need to hit the ground running against Malaysia if they are to better their third place finish last year and realise their goal of qualifying for the IRB Junior World Trophy.
“This is not a game taken lightly. The players will have to be on top form to achieve the right result. The team has been making progress and is definitely moving in the right direction,” Torpey said.
In the other opening matches in the Junior Cup, Singapore face Korea and Sri Lanka meet Thailand. The action then continues on Monday, 17 December and Thursday, 20 December.
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