It was a disappointing start to the Rugby Sevens World Cup qualifier for Sri Lanka with the fresh look Tuskers outfit crashing out of the cup quarterfinals. Sri Lanka’s dismal performance should worry the Islanders a bit as Asia Rugby released its rankings after the 1st leg.
Read also: Tuskers no match for the Chinese
The 1st leg of the Asia Sevens Series was worked off on the 1st and 2nd of September 2017 at the Kings Park Stadium in Hong Kong and for the first time in three years, the Tuskers failed to make it to a cup final.
In contrast to the past years where the series had 12 nations participating, this year’s series included only eight teams competing.
After winning just one game on day one in the group stages, Sri Lanka was tied up with China in the quarterfinals. An unsettling team performance saw the Tuskers losing out to the China 36-12.
The exit in the quarterfinals gave Sri Lanka one more shot at redemption sending them to the Plate semi final. The Tuskers settled unfinished business that they had against Malaysia from this year’s Asia Division I Rugby Championship running in 45 points to make it to the finals.
Read also: Tuskers claim Plate Championship
With Sri Lanka winning the Plate final 32-19 against the Philippines, last year’s finalists claimed ownership to the 5th position at the end of the first leg.
Japan who fielded a strong side took the cup title in the first leg defeating hosts Hong Kong.
The full rankings and the points after the 1st leg will be as follows:
| Ranking | Country | Points |
| 1 | Japan | 12.0 |
| 2 | Hong Kong | 10.0 |
| 3 | South Korea | 8.0 |
| 4 | China | 7.0 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 5.0 |
| 6 | Philippines | 4.0 |
| 7 | Malaysia | 2.0 |
| 8 | Chinese Taipei | 1.0 |
