Korea vs UAE Preview – Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025

Korea were given a real scare last week against Sri Lanka in Colombo before their pack and the subs changed the game in their favour, while the UAE had good patches in their loss to Hong Kong China, but in all departments were outplayed by the defending champions.

It’s an intriguing matchup against the UAE on Saturday, 22 June at the Namdong Asiad Rugby Stadium. In Incheon this weekend, you would expect the Koreans to be better than the opening weekend, as they did appear to struggle with the conditions in their 38-34 win.

In total, these two sides have only ever faced each other three times, with the Koreans leading 2-1.

For the visitors, they sit bottom of the championship log and bonus points and results might be vital as they picked up none in their 43-10 opening round loss, while the Sri Lankans secured two bonus points in their loss to Korea. The UAE beat Korea last year 36-32 in the surprise result of the championship, and they had several debutantes who impressed last week, despite the result, such as Max Johnson, Brad Janes, and Gerard Pieterse.

Their scrum though endured a tough time against HKCR as the game went on, while the Korean pack earned numerous penalties at scrum time as they dominated the Tuskers – how those two packs match up in this clash could hold the key to victory. Both sides also have threats in the backs and do like to run the ball, so we expect to see tries.

UAE Head Coach Jacques Benade said after the loss, “We are all disappointed. We are better than that. Given how hard we work for everything, that was just not good enough for us. We need to be honest with ourselves. No more excuses. That was not a performance we can be proud of.”

Photo Credit – HKCR – UAE vs Hong Kong China – AREMC 2025

Head coach Lee Myung-geun told local Korean media, “We were able to finish this match with a victory thanks to the players’ concentration throughout. With the remaining two matches against UAE and Hong Kong held at home, we will prepare well and win both matches.”

Winning all their games would, of course, see them secure a ticket to RWC 2027, but it would also be a first Asian Rugby Men’s Championship title since 2002, which was their 5th.

Captain Na Gwan-yong also said after the win last week, “Participating in the Rugby World Cup is our dream. So we have tried hard from the very beginning to prove that we are one team.”

There are a couple of injuries which have forced changes in the Korea squad. Lee Jin Kyu and Jang Jeong Min are both out, and Head Coach Lee Myung Geun has given the chance to debutants from both Korea University: Kim Won Ju and Oh Dong Ho. Winger Jang JeongMin sustained a shoulder injury and might be out for the remainder of the AREMC.

The Korean side’s most capped players are captain and prop Na Kwan Young with 24 caps, and centre Kim Nam Uk with 28 caps, but 17 of the 23-man squad have ten caps or fewer.

It’s very tough to call this one, and neither camp was particularly happy after the opening leg, but if the UAE lose, they know their chances for a top two spot are over, and if they win and HKCR beat Sri Lanka, then the Koreans know they face an uphill battle to qualify.

• Referee: Morgan White (HKCR)
• Assistant Referees: Craig Chan, Francesco Cammisa (HKCR)
• TMO: Shane Barr (HKCR)
• Performance Reviewer: Peter Hudson

You can find out more about the RWC 2027 pathway here.

Match Permutations – Korea vs UAE

• The Korean men moved up two places to 33rd following last week’s win.
• The UAE are ranked 50th.
• Korea cannot improve its position if they wins.
• A draw would see UAE equal their all-time record of 48th, while a victory could see them jump as many as 10 places to 40th if they win by more than 15 points, and Sri Lanka are beaten by Hong Kong China.

Korea Men’s XV Squad vs UAE – June 21 2025

Props

• (c) Na Kwan Young (KEPCO, 24 caps)
• Choi Ho Young (Sangmu, 9 caps)
• Kang Soon Hyuck (POSCO, 10 caps)
• Lee Hyun Soo (KEPCO, 8 caps) 

• Noh Ok Gi (KEPCO, 8 caps)
• Choi Seong Deok (KEPCO, 7 caps)
• Hwang Jeong Wook (Hyundai Glovis, 5 caps)
• Park Jun Young (KEPCO, 3 caps)

• Jeong Yeon Sik (Hyundai Glovis, 19 caps)
• Chang Yong Heung (KEPCO, 13 caps)
• Jang Hyun Goo (Sangmu, 2 caps)
• Oh Dong Ho (Korea Univ., 0 caps)

Photo Credit – Asia Rugby / KRU

UAE Men’s XV Squad vs Korea – June 21 2025*

*AREMC tournament 2025 squad

1. Pieter Killian
2. Michael Sejean
3. Riaan Barnard
4. Marcus Guerin
5. Jaen Botes
6. Emosi Vecanaua
7. Brad Janes
8. Ethan Matthews
9. Andrew Semple (c)
10. Max Johnson
11. Sakiusa Naisau
12. Justin Walsh
13. Jack Stapley
14. Liam Caldwell
15. Gerard Pieterse
16. Epali Davetawalu
17. Lukas Waddington
18. Moeneeb Galant
19. Niko Volavola
20. Chris McKee
21. Sam Bullock
22. Sean Steven
23. James Crossley
24. Matt Mills

Photo Credit – UAERF

How To Watch the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship

All six matches of the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship will be streamed live and free via RugbyPassTV and Asia Rugby Facebook and YouTube.

International Rugby News 2025

• Ultimate Guide to 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship – RWC 2027 Qualification
• UAE vs Hong Kong China Preview – Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025.
• Sri Lanka vs Korea Preview – Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025.
• Hong Kong China Men Will Play Sri Lanka at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground For AREMC 2025.