Ascending the Tiers
An analytical overview of the 2012 Asian Five Nations divisional rugby tournaments, detailing team performances, promotions, relegations, and match outcomes.
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Tournament Overview
Dates & Scope
The 2012 Asian Five Nations division tournaments, sponsored by HSBC, constituted the fifth iteration of the premier Asian rugby union competition. These divisional tournaments ran from April 15 to June 30, 2012, involving 19 nations across various tiers.
Promotion & Relegation
A key feature of the tournament structure was the dynamic promotion and relegation system. The last-placed team in each division was relegated, while the winner of the division below was promoted, ensuring a competitive landscape and opportunities for national teams to ascend through the ranks.
Global Context
This series was part of a broader effort to develop rugby union across Asia, providing structured international competition. The results directly influenced national team rankings and qualification pathways for future international tournaments.
Divisional Structure
Promotion/Relegation Mechanism
The system ensured fluidity between divisions. The winner of Division 2 was promoted to Division 1, replacing the last-placed team. Similarly, winners of Divisions 3, 4, and 5 were promoted to Divisions 2, 3, and 4, respectively, with the bottom teams in each tier facing relegation.
Competitive Tiers
The tournaments were organized into five distinct divisions, reflecting varying levels of national rugby development and performance. Each division operated as a mini-league or knockout stage, culminating in clear outcomes for promotion and relegation.
Key Changes from 2011
Team Movements
Significant team movements occurred: Sri Lanka returned to Division 1 after relegation, while South Korea rejoined the Top 5. Chinese Taipei replaced Malaysia in Division 1, with Malaysia competing in Division 2. China moved to Division 2, replacing India, following their promotion from Division 3.
New Entrants
Brunei joined Cambodia and Laos in Division 5, expanding the reach of the tournament into newer rugby-playing nations.
Participating Nations
Division 1
Chinese Taipei (57), Philippines (72), Singapore (52), Sri Lanka (46)
Division 2
China (62), Iran (NA), Malaysia (63), Thailand (65)
Division 3
Guam (88), Indonesia (77), India (NA), Pakistan (73)
Division 4
Jordan (NA), Lebanon (NA), Qatar (NA), Uzbekistan (NA)
Division 5
Brunei (NA), Cambodia (NA), Laos (NA)
Division 1 Results
Hosted in Manila, Philippines, this division featured a round-robin format.
Final Standings
| Earns Promotion | |
| Relegated |
| Position | Nation | Games | Points | Bonus points |
Total points |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Difference | ||||
| 1 | Philippines | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 36 | +63 | 3 | 18 |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 89 | 36 | +53 | 2 | 12 |
| 3 | Chinese Taipei | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 69 | 94 | โ25 | 1 | 6 |
| 4 | Singapore | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 114 | โ64 | 1 | 1 |
Points System: Win (5), Draw (3), 4+ Tries (1), Loss within 7 points (1), Loss >7 points (0).
Fixtures
17:00
19:00
17:00
19:00
17:00
19:00
Outcomes
Philippines promoted to the Top 5 for 2013. Singapore relegated to Division 2 for 2013.
Division 2 Results
Held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this division determined promotion to Division 1.
Final Standings
| Earns Promotion | |
| Relegated |
| Position | Nation | Games | Points | Bonus points |
Total points |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Difference | ||||
| 1 | Thailand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 96 | 46 | +50 | 3 | 18 |
| 2 | Iran | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 106 | 52 | +54 | 3 | 11 |
| 3 | Malaysia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 115 | 119 | โ4 | 3 | 7 |
| 4 | China | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 172 | โ150 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures
14:30
16:30
14:30
16:30
Outcomes
Thailand promoted to Division 1 for 2013. China relegated to Division 3 for 2013.
Division 3 Results
Contested in Padang, Indonesia, this division saw India emerge victorious.
Final Standings
| Earns Promotion | |
| Relegated |
| Position | Nation | Games | Points | Bonus points |
Total points |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Difference | ||||
| 1 | India | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 26 | +80 | 3 | 18 |
| 2 | Guam | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 77 | 45 | +32 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | Indonesia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 77 | โ47 | 1 | 5 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 70 | โ55 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures
14:30
16:30
14:30
16:30
Outcomes
India promoted to Division 2 for 2013. Pakistan relegated to Division 4 for 2013.
Division 4 Results
Held in Dubai, UAE, this division saw Qatar dominate and secure promotion.
Final Standings
| Earns Promotion | |
| Relegated |
| Position | Nation | Games | Points | Bonus points |
Total points |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Difference | ||||
| 1 | Qatar | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 154 | 37 | +117 | 3 | 18 |
| 2 | Lebanon | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 74 | โ24 | 1 | 9 |
| 3 | Jordan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 74 | โ33 | 1 | 5 |
| 4 | Uzbekistan | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 28 | 90 | โ62 | 1 | 1 |
Fixtures
18:00
20:00
15:30
17:45
Outcomes
Qatar promoted to Division 3 for 2013.
Division 5 Results
This division, hosted in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, showcased emerging talent, with Laos emerging as champions.
Final Standings
| Earns Promotion | |
| Relegated |
| Position | Nation | Games | Points | Bonus points |
Total points |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Difference | ||||
| 1 | Laos | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 128 | 14 | +114 | 2 | 12 |
| 2 | Brunei | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 85 | โ59 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Cambodia | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 77 | โ55 | 1 | 1 |
Fixtures
15:30
17:30
15:30
Outcomes
Laos promoted to Division 4 for 2013.
References
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