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Hong Kong are out of the Rugby World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. Citing player safety issues, the Hong Kong Rugby Union pulled the Men’s test team out of the Asia Rugby Championship. The tournament is to take place in May and June in South Korea.
It is the second of such measures from Hong Kong; the Women’s team was also pulled from their RWC qualifiers earlier this year. Hong Kong had sought new dates for the Men’s qualifiers, only to be declined. As such the Tri Nations between Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Korea will now be a direct elimination sereis between Malaysia and hosts, South Korea.
The winner of the Asia Championship will advance to face Tonga. With a place at RWC 2023 on-the-line. The winner of Tonga vs the Asian participant will qualify for RWC 2023 as Asia / Pacific 1.
Asia / Pacific 1 will compete in Pool B at RWC 2023. The group contains RWC 2019 champions South Africa in addition to Ireland, Scotland, and Spain. Asia / Pacific 1 will open their campaign at RWC 2027 against Ireland in Nantes.
