The 2009 Asian Five Nations division tournaments, known as the 2009 HSBC Asian 5 Nations due to the tournament's sponsorship by the HSBC, refer to the Asian Five Nations divisions played within the tournament. This was the 2nd series of the Asian Five Nations.
There were three main divisions, with two further regional divisions. The winners of Division 1 would be promoted up to the Top Division for 2010, as will the winner of Division 2 being promoted to Division 1. The loser of Division 1, drops to Division 2. With the newly included Division 3, this also means the winner of Division 3 will replace the loser of Division 2 in 2010.
Scoring system: 5 points for a win, three for a draw, one bonus point for being within seven points of the winning team, and one for four tries.
Changes from 2008 Singapore are no longer competing in Division 1, following promotion to the Top 5 Division. Thailand have replaced China in Division 1, with China competing in Division 2. A newly Division 3 is added, with less Regional Divisions taking place.
Teams The teams involved, with their world rankings pre tournament, were:
Division 1 (44) (50) (51) (71)
Division 2 (45) (81) (78) (NA)
Division 3 (NA) (NA) (81) (NA)
Regional Division 1 (NA) (NA) (NA)
Regional Division 2 (NA) (NA) (NA)
Division 1 + Key to colours Earns Promotion Relegated
Division One served as the second round of qualifying for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, as the champion, Arabian Gulf, earned promotion to the Asian Five Nations for the 2010 season. The 2010 HSBC Asian Five Nations will be the final qualifying stage for the Asian representative at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Fixtures
Semi finals
HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue36–248 Apr 2009The Sevens, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesArabian Gulf36–178 Apr 2009The Sevens, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Third v Fourth Final
HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue51–1711 Apr 2009The Sevens, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Final
HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue24–44Arabian Gulf11 Apr 2009The Sevens, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Division 2 + Key to colours Earns Promotion Relegated
Fixtures
Semi finals
HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue25–193 June 2009Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia43–293 June 2009Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Third v Fourth Final
HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue3–446 June 2009Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Final
HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue43–156 June 2009Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Division 3 + Key to colours Earns Promotion Relegated
Fixtures
Semi finals
HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue23–31 July 2009Manila, Philippines15–01 July 2009Manila, Philippines
Third v Fourth Final
HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue48–134 July 2009Manila, Philippines
Final
HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue25–04 July 2009Manila, Philippines
Regional Divisions + Key to colours Earns Promotion Relegated Regional 1
Position Nation Games Points Tablepoints Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Difference122003611254221012938-92320021329-160
Fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue28–822 Mar 2009Savannakhet, Vientiane, Laos21–1025 Mar 2009Savannakhet, Vientiane, Laos3–828 Mar 2009Savannakhet, Vientiane, Laos
Regional 2
Fixtures Semifinal HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue38–219 June 2009Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Final HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDateVenue31–1213 June 2009Tashkent, Uzbekistan
See also 2009 Asian Five Nations
References https://web.archive.org/web/20090407082740/http://www.irb.com/mm/document/newsmedia/0/090302hsbcasianfivenations2009seriesschedule_7322.pdf