The Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025 kicked off in dramatic fashion at the Colombo Race Course, with Sri Lanka’s men’s rugby team powering into the semi-finals unbeaten while the women endured a difficult start, failing to secure a single win against Asia’s top contenders. The contrast of triumph and struggle set the tone for an action-packed opening day as teams battled for continental supremacy and a coveted pathway to the World Rugby HSBC SVNS Division 3.
The men, widely known as the Sri Lanka Tuskers, looked sharp and composed throughout their matches. They opened the day against Uzbekistan, who caught them off guard by scoring first. However, Sri Lanka quickly found rhythm, answering back with tries from Srinath Sooriyabandara, Gayan Perera, Chathura Soysa, and Janindu Dilshan to secure a 26-14 victory. Diluksha Dange and Suranga Tennakoon added conversions to consolidate the scoreline and underline their side’s attacking intent.
In their next outing, Sri Lanka stamped authority with a 22-5 win over Singapore. The match highlighted the Tuskers’ defensive steel as they shut down opposition attacks and converted possession into points with clinical efficiency. Their third scheduled game was abandoned due to adverse weather conditions, but the two wins were enough to confirm their place in the semi-finals. With their unbeaten streak intact, the Tuskers are now among the frontrunners to claim the Asia Rugby Sevens 2025 crown.
While the men celebrated success, the Sri Lanka women’s team endured a much tougher day. Up against experienced regional rivals, they struggled to match the pace and power on display. Their opening clash against Thailand ended in a heavy 43-0 defeat. Hong Kong China followed suit, outmuscling the Sri Lankans in a 31-0 victory. Singapore added to the woes later in the day, leaving Sri Lanka winless and searching for solutions heading into their remaining fixtures.
Beyond the home teams, Day 1 was filled with eye-catching results across both divisions. In the women’s tournament, India stunned UAE with a 17-7 victory, while Japan flexed their dominance by thrashing Indonesia 73-0. China also sent a strong message with a commanding 46-0 win over the Philippines. These results reinforced the competitive depth of the women’s bracket, where Japan and China continue to demonstrate their supremacy.
The men’s matches produced similar levels of intensity and spectacle. Hong Kong China demolished Korea 50-0, Japan showcased their clinical finishing with a 68-0 thrashing of Chinese Taipei, and China comfortably defeated Uzbekistan 31-0. These performances set up a thrilling knockout phase, where Sri Lanka will need to deliver their best rugby yet if they are to topple Asia’s strongest rugby nations.
As the curtain fell on Day 1, the picture for Sri Lanka was clear. The men had delivered hope and excitement, igniting dreams of a potential title push on home turf. The women, however, faced the hard reality of rebuilding confidence after three defeats. Still, the opportunity to bounce back remains, and every game ahead is a chance to learn, adapt, and show resilience.
The Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens 2025 continues in Colombo with high stakes and roaring crowds. For the Tuskers, the focus is firmly on the semi-finals, where they aim to maintain their unbeaten run and book a spot in the final. For the women, the challenge will be to regroup quickly and salvage pride in the matches still to come. With the road to the HSBC SVNS pathway on the line, Colombo promises more drama, passion, and rugby brilliance in the days ahead.
