| James Kon |
BRUNEI’S rugby team captain Mohd Azahar bin Timbang called on his team to “play like there is no tomorrow” and only stop when they have achieved the goal of winning their matches in the 2018 Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 taking place today until May 12 at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex.
Mohd Azhar said this during an interview with the media yesterday.
Asked on the preparation for the tournament, Mohd Azahar said, “I have been playing with the boys quite long. We have played against many strong teams and semi-pro teams from England. We lost few points in those games, so I think we have no problem to face Guam and China.”
He pointed out that the team has a good mix of locals with five army personnel from the British Garrison.
“The team treat each other like brothers. They show us how to treat each other in rugby. The local boys have always shown their discipline by turning up for training and looking after their diet.”
Asked on his thoughts on the teams from Guam and China, the captain said, “We respect both Guam and China. I can see that Guam has been playing rugby for a long time. While we don’t have much information on China, our boys have been through many friendly games so it is important for us to execute our game play and to not worry about the opponent.”
Meanwhile Guam team captain Brian Ramiro expressed confidence and highlighted the importance of winning the first game.
“Every time when we go outside of the country, it’s always going to be a challenge for us especially when we face the home team. So we have to be prepared and stay on top of our game as well as concentrate on our play.”
“It’s very crucial (to win the first match). Given that Guam has a relatively small rugby community and we don’t have too many chances to practise and play, it is very important for us to execute what we need to do properly.”
This year’s edition is the sixth Asia Rugby Tournament that Brunei has hosted since its inception in 2007. The 2014 edition saw Brunei compete against Mongolia and Laos, where the former emerged champion.
The Brunei Rugby Football Union hopes to make the tournament as an annual sporting event as it will be a holistic approach to promote rugby in the country, and is also hoping to organise an Asian 7s tournament and Asian age group tournament in the future.
In addition, Brunei Rugby Football Union will also organise Level 1 Medic First Aid in Rugby (L1FAIR) course during the tournament, to be conducted by Dr Azril Syazwan bin Mohd Ali, a World Rugby Medical Educator from Malaysia’s Institute of Sports.
It is hoped that the course can produce rugby players, coaches, referees and administrators, as well as medical professionals in the sports of rugby.
Brunei will play Guam today at 4pm, and China on May 12. China will play against Guam on May 10. All matches will be played at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex.
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