The trophy for the all new HSBC Asian Five Nations has been unveiled in Hong Kong on the eve of the second round of Top 5 matches between Japan and the Arabian Gulf in Osaka and Kazakhstan’s visit to Hong Kong.
Handcrafted in India from pure silver, the trophy weighs in at more than 8kg and is adorned with Asian motifs that highlight the inclusiveness of the Asian Five Nations with a dragon design to represent North Asia and a prowling tiger representing South Asia.
The base of the trophy is inscribed with the names of all 25 participating countries or territories taking part in the four tiers that make up the Asian Five Nations – Top 5, Division 1, Division 2 and four regional tournaments.
The trophy, which was produced in India by renowned silversmiths Whorra Brothers, has been donated to the Asian Rugby Football Union by the Bombay Gymkhana and the Calcutta Cricket & Football Club.
Hong Kong and title favourites Japan both enjoyed opening day victories on the road last weekend over the Arabian Gulf 20-12 in the United Arab Emirates and Korea 39-17 at the Incheon Munhak Sports Complex respectively.
The Japanese therefore top the standings by virtue of their try bonus point, but that has not stopped coach John Kirwan from ringing the changes ahead of the Arabian Gulf’s visit to Hanazono Stadium in Osaka on Saturday.
Kirwan has made eight personnel and two positional changes, stating that: “We lost our discipline and tried to make far too many 50-50 passes. We need to do what we have been doing on the training field for the full 80 minutes.”
Japan looking to the future
Prop Yosuke Ikegaya will make his debut in an new front row which boasts only four caps between them, while only second row Hitoshi Ono, flanker Takashi Kikutani and captain Takuro Miuchi are retained in the pack from the Korean game.
Kikutani switches flanks, while Bryce Robins moves from outside centre to full back in backline which sees Takashi Sato come into partner James Arlidge at half back and World Cup centres Shotaro Onishi and Yuta Imamura reunited in the centres.
Kirwan’s desire to develop the national team is highlighted by his replacements bench with four uncapped players selected and the other three boasting on nine caps between them in Yusuke Aoki (3), Taira Sato (1) and Atsushi Moriya (5).
The other match sees Kazakhstan make their first appearance in the Asian Five Nations in Hong Kong, having secured their berth in the Top 5 by winning the Asian Championship in Sri Lanka last November.
A sell-out crowd is expected at the Hong Kong Football Club for a match Hong Kong coach John Walters is eager to win against a Kazakhstan side led by Timur Mashurov to preserve his side’s proud record.
“We are looking to build on our win against the Arabian Gulf. We have early momentum now, which is what we wanted, but we need to keep improving. We haven’t lost at home for over a year. This record is something we are very proud of and will work very hard to protect.”
