Following a decision made at the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Council Meeting yesterday in Dubai, UAE, Indonesian Rugby will host the ‘2015 Asian Rugby Championship (ARC) Division 3 East Tournament’. This tournament will see the Indonesian National Team, better known as “The Rhinos” playing home tests against Guam and China. The two visiting teams will also play each other as part of the one-week tournament. At this stage this tournament will be played in the first week of June 2015.

This tournament will also serve as the ‘2019 Rugby World Cup Qualification’ Tournament with the winning nation earning the right to be promoted to the ‘2016 ARC Division 2 Tournament’ along with the winner of the ‘2015 ARC Division 3 Central Tournament’ between India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, which will be played in Tashkent.

As part of this tournament, Indonesian Rugby will host a number of coaching and training courses plus will also host a “Get Into Rugby” Festival for children.

The ARC Tournament replaces the previous Asian 5 Nations (A5N) tournament format. The photograph above shows some members of the Indonesian National Team singing ‘Indonesia Raya’ at the 2014 A5N Division 3 Tournament which was played in Vientiane, Lao.

Indonesian Rugby is currently in discussions with a major broadcaster to screen the Indonesian Tests live on Indonesian TV and via online streaming services. The Union is also in discussions with potential venue hosts as well. Announcements on both of these will be made in due course.

This will be the first time “The Rhinos” have played at home since 2011 and for many of the current team this will be their first chance to play on home soil in front of their passionate fans. Hosting this tournament will also provide wonderful sponsorship and marketing opportunities for Indonesian Rugby.

“The Rhinos” previously played at home in 2008, 2010 and 2011. “The Rhinos” won the 2008 A5N Regional Tournament against Lao and Cambodia.