Rugby

It’s hardly earth- shattering, but then some rugby contests are barely that, but the Asian Championship has been around in various guises since 1969 and dominated by 24- time winners Japan. South Korea have won five but the last of those was in 2002, while Hong Kong have been runners- up for the past three seasons. Japan opened this season with a 47- 29 away win over South Korea and host them today. They are again joined by Hong Kong in a double round- robin ending on June 3. Super Rugby is again without any New Zealand derbies but there are a couple of interesting match- ups. The Chiefs kick off tonight’s triple- header against the Sunwolves in Hamilton. The Crusaders are in Bloemfontein early tomorrow to battle the Cheetahs, who are 2 and 6, before the Kings and Rebels meet in Port Elizabeth. There’s also Sunday afternoon fare, with the Blues, back from their bye, in Canberra to face the Brumbies. Both have 3 and 5 starts to their seasons. The Canes host the Stormers on Friday.