Bye, bye, Gulf
Arabian Gulf achieved a first-ever win over Korea, winning 21-19 in Dubai in their last-ever Test match. Japan, on the other hand, flew fast for New Zealand with a massive, 101-7
The Arabian Gulf joined the IRB in 1990 and has played 41 Tests under that name, representing several (small) countries – United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. Now the IRB is taking away the full membership of the AG RFU, effective 31 December 2010. It is not a situation welcomed by the AG RFU.
The side went out in glory, beating Korea for the first time in 17 years of trying. The match was preceded by a first-ever Test between Lebanon and Jordan.
Korea opened the showcase match with its customary intensity and enjoyed the run of possession in the first half, but could manage only a 14-6 lead at the break through tries from scrumhalf Park Wan Yong and Han Kun Kyu and two conversions from flyhalf Lee Yong Min to two penalties by wing James Love for the Gulf.
Flyhalf Duncan Murray, controlled the second half and scored the first points of the half with a try which Love converted. Big centre Trent Eastgate scored the try which gave the Gulf an 18-14 lead. Love kicked a third penalty with eight minutes to go but Korea were not finished and on time wing Chae Jae Yong scored in the corner. Replacement flyhalf Oh Yong Kwon’s conversion attempt failed, leaving the Gulf their famous, emotional victory and leaving Korea in the relegation zone.
Eastgate’s try was the Gulf’s last as was Love’s last penalty goal.
Jordan and Lebanon, the newest Associate member of the Asian Rugby Football Union as of December 2009, played their first ever Test match, which Lebanon won 27-8. The scorers were making history. For Lebanon wing Wael Harb and prop Ziad El Murr scored tries in the first half, with a conversion by captain and scrumhalf Karim Jammal. For Jordan centre Nidal Ziyadat scored a try. In the second half No.8 Hesham Husni Bey and flyhalf Raymond Asfour scored tries and Jammal kicked a conversion while flyhalf Jamal Masri kicked a conversion.
Japan recorded their 11th straight bonus-point win in the Asian Five Nations when they hammered Kazakhstan 101-7 at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground on Saturday.
The win lifts Japan to the top of the standings and means they need just one point from next week’s game with Hong Kong to qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Tries by Shota Horie, Sione Vatuvei, Goshi Tachikawa and Koji Taira saw Japan grab their bonus point as early as the 17th minute.
Kazakhstan fought back with a well worked try for hooker Mihail Soloviyev. But Japan carried on scoring and at half-time led 33-7. Alisi Tupuailei scored the try that brought up the century with some five minutes to play.
