JAPAN were made to fight hard for a 20-8 victory in the final match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 Asia/Oceania qualification tournament by a Hong Kong side that proved they deserve their place at next year’s flagship event in Ireland every bit as much as their regional rivals.

The Sakura 15s will join WRWC 2017 hosts Ireland as well as France and Australia in Pool C after qualifying as Asia/Oceania 1, while the Asia/Oceania 2 berth goes to runners-up Hong Kong who face games against WRWC 2014 silver medallists Canada, the world’s number one team New Zealand and Wales in Pool A. Pool B comprises reigning champions England, USA, Italy and Spain.

Both sides went into Saturday’s game at the Hong Kong Football Club assured of qualification following earlier victories over Fiji.

Hong Kong made just one change for the clash from the side that started the 45-7 win against Fijiana, with Nga Wun Lau coming in at loose-head prop for Yuen Shan Wong, who dropped to the bench.

Having beaten Fiji 55-0 on Tuesday, Japan opted to make three changes, introducing Aya Takeuchi to their second-row, while Minori Yamamoto and Riho Kurogi came in at fly-half and outside centre respectively.

Japan, who’d beaten Hong Kong twice to win yet another Asian Championship title back in May, threatened to blow the home side away after scoring two unconverted tries inside the first eight minutes.