Japan Sakura 7s and Hong Kong China Men Win Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025

The Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025 (ARESS) second leg took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from October 18-19 and saw the Series winners crowned in torrential conditions, while we now also know which teams have progressed to SVNS Division 3 and who will be relegated to the Asia Rugby Trophy 7s in 2026.

UPDATE – We have updated the relegation situation – still nothing via the Asia Rugby official channels, but the AR President posted an update on Monday, 20th October.

ARESS 2025 Champions, SVNS Division 3 Qualifiers, and Relegation

Japan Sakura 7s women and the Hong Kong China men are the ARESS 2025 champions, both were undefeated throughout the two legs. The result means that the HKCR men will represent Asia at the HSBC World Rugby Division SVNS 3.

Photo Credit – Asia Rugby

For the women’s team heading to SVNS Division 3 from Asia, Thailand pipped Hong Kong China women (the two teams were 2-2 in the head-to-head), but the Thais had the superior points difference and finished third in Colombo and overall.

The Sri Lankan men impressed and claimed third in Colombo, and in the overall standings, to the delight of the home crowd at the Racecourse Ground.

Relegation to Trophy Sevens 2026

Although there has still been no official and public statement from Asia Rugby on the promotion or relegation from the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, several social posts from the unions involved indicated that the bottom two teams for the men and women are due to be relegated.

This was confirmed by the Chinese Taipei Rugby and Thailand Rugby Union (TRU) via social posts.

If the rules being used for the series were simply made public and transparent, all of this could be avoided! Even unions were caught posting the wrong information.

Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025 – Men’s Champions Hong Kong China

Based on the overall standings across the two legs, that means that for the men, Uzbekistan and the Chinese Taipei men (not the Philippines) would play the Trophy Sevens in 2026, and for the women, it will be Sri Lanka and the Indonesian women (not the Phillipines).

We will see if anything official is announced by Asia Rugby. Asia Rugby President Qais Al-Dhalai said via a X post, “Well played and fought Indonesia  and Sri Lanka women and the Uzbekistan and Chinese Taipei men who are all relegated to Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2026.”

Who else impressed at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025?

The Indian women finished 6th overall in their first appearance at the top level in Asia after several years of missing out as runner-up in the Trophy Series. They have invested heavily and have brought in international-calibre coaches (Paul Delport for the women and Ben Gollings for the men). But the style of play, and their tenacious defence and attack, were great to watch against bigger opposition.

Photo Credit – Asia Rugby – India Women impressed

The Sri Lankan men, and the union, have had a tough few years with missing competitions and internal politics, and the men finished third overall – beating out the likes of Korea, China and the UAE. They had some really strong players impress in Colombo and are a welcome return to the ARESS. However, the women will be dropping down to the Trophy 7s.

Credit should be given to the Chinese women who continue to build depth and handed out 12 debuts this weekend, but were still runner-up overall. They are focusing on the upcoming National Games, knowing they were already locked into the SVNS 2 Division no matter the results.

Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025 – Sri Lanka Men finished 3rd

Elsewhere, there will be concerns for the Korean men, once Olympic contendors, but they have been on a steady decline in 15s and 7s. They finished 9th overall.

The Philippines will be disappointed but have maintained its position in the ARESS next season – we apologise for the earlier post saying they might be relegated.

Photo Credit – Rocky Khan – a young Chinese women’s side played in Colombo

Individual performances to highlight include:

• Japan’s Savannah Bodman was awarded the women’s player of the tournament in Colombo – she was also the team’s MVP in her debut appearance in leg 1. She scored six tries in a single game on Day#1
• Harry Sayers from Hong Kong China, was awarded the men’s player of the tournament and had a stellar final against Japan.

These stats are based on the Asia Rugby website (although we dont think they are all accurate):

• Women’s Try Scorer: Ruksina Nawakaew (Thailand)
• Men’s Top Try Scorer: Shotaro Tsuoka (Japan)

What The Teams Have Said – Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025

Hong Kong China

Among the Men’s top try scorers (5 according to Asia Rugby), Max Denmark also grabbed the winning try against Japan in the sudden-death Cup Final to seal the hard-fought 12-7 win in torrential rain. He missed the first leg through injury and commented:

“It feels amazing to be back on the pitch with the team again. Getting back into 7s is always tough, but I’m really enjoying the challenge. I think when we move into space, we look at our best, and let the ball do the work. Our defence has been great – we had the real dogfight mentality to never let a point go.”

Photo Credit – Asia Rugby – Hong Kong China Max Denmark at Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025

The men defended their title and, by our records, are now two years in a row undefeated in the ARESS.

You can see a more detailed weekend report in our collaboration piece with HKCR here.

Thailand

Thailand Rugby Union said online, following their women claiming third to qualify for the HSBC World Rugby SVNS 3 and the men finishing 7th, that they would pay out a total bonus of 400,000 baht (more than $12,000) to the players. The men also needed to achieve no less than 6th to remain in the top tier.

Thai player and tournament top try scorer, vice-captain “Nong Nan” Raksina Nawakaew, scored the winner against HKCR in sudden death to seal the win 10-5 and earned the team a fourth consecutive World Rugby series berth.

Pol. Lt. Col. Kunthon Prachuabmoh, President of the TRU, added via Facebook that despite not travelling with the team, he had been watching every match live. He said he “was at a loss for words because he was so happy that both teams had achieved their goals. He had felt stressed and pressured before the final match.”

He added, “All the players performed exceptionally well. The men’s team displayed excellent teamwork, strength, and skill. Of course, we lost to Japan (men), a world-class team, which I don’t regret. It was the plan the coach had laid out. But after that, we defeated every other team, winning consecutively, and securing the top five. I commend them.”

Of the women, he added, “many of them showed their best form on the field. They played well in attack, and, not to mention in defence, everyone was involved in the tackles. They’re all wearing the heart of a lion, playing together, and tackling together. Everyone’s been amazing.”

China

Rocky Khan (Former NZ 7s and current Chinese Women’s coach) said, “Unreal effort from the girls. 12 girls making their international debut have reached the final of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series. Another great experience for the young girls to go through.”

Sri Lanka

From local media in Sri Lanka (Daily News) on the men’s third-placed finish: “For a team that began the series as 12th seeds, Sri Lanka’s rise to third place stands as an inspiring story of revival. With key performers like Sooriyabandara, Dange, Dabare, and Tennakoon in fine form, Sri Lanka’s men’s sevens team have re-emerged among Asia’s elite — and given their fans real hope.”

Japan

The JRFU said they would be releasing more comments from the coaches and players this week.

Japan Sakura 7s are 2025 Champions and didn’t concede a single point in the second leg (scoring 240+) in Colombo, and didn’t lose a match this whole series!

The men will be disappointed to lose out on qualifying for SVNS 3, but they gave a good account of themselves, and there is not much ever separating them and the HKCR men.

Singapore

The SRU said online: “Both our men’s and women’s teams wrapped up their ARESS Round 2 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 7th place. With less than two months to go till the SEA Games, the focus sharpens and the grind continues.”

Philippines

The PRFU said online, “From touchdown to the last whistle, the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series has been one unforgettable chapter. Every moment — the games, the grind, the laughter in between — reminded us why we love what we do and who we do it with.

To everyone who supported, prayed, and rallied behind us from home — we felt your energy all the way here. Taking home lessons, memories, and a whole lot of heart.”

There are lots of photos from the weekend shared across all of our socials.

ARESS 2025 Final Standings

These have now been amended by Asia Rugby, apparently, and we have reflected the changes in the text, but the images below are those shown on the live broadcast.

You can see the matches online here from Day 2 in Colombo.

Women

1. Japan
2. China
3. Thailand
4. Hong Kong China
5. Kazakhstan
6. India
7. UAE
8. Malaysia
9. Singapore
10. Philippines
11. Sri Lanka*
12. Indonesia*

*According to the latest posts online, they will be relegated to the Asia Rugby Trophy 7s in 2026.

All of the Colombo Women’s results can be seen here.

ARESS 2025 Final Standings Women – this was the graphic shown at the end of the tournament- this information is now deemed incorrect

Men

1. Hong Kong China
2. Japan
3. Sri Lanka
4. China
5. UAE
6. Thailand
7. Malaysia
8. Singapore
9. Korea
10. Philippines
11. Uzbekistan*
12. Chinese Taipei*

*According to latest posts online, they will be relegated to the Asia Rugby Trophy 7s in 2026.

All of the Colombo Men’s results can be seen here.

ARESS 2025 Final Standings Men – this was the graphic shown at the end of the tournament- this information is now deemed incorrect

Our Views On the ARESS 2025 Format

To keep it simple, we dont like it, and we heard many others do not either (including unions and players).

Some points to consider:

Asian Rugby Sevens News 2025

• Full Fan Guide to Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025 Leg 2 Colombo.
• Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025 Leg 1 Review – HKCR Men and Japan Women Crowned Winners
• 2026 HSBC SVNS Series Dates and Venues Mostly Confirmed.
• Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2025 Preview.