Pictures from the Tournament Highlights!

Sorry guys! We are experiencing some problems uploading photos due to the slow internet connection. Will post more, when the connection has recover....

Credits to Daily Express, Sabah Times & Borneo Post

Photos coming up!!!

Results of the 8th Borneo Tens & 1st Borneo Women Sevens 2008

Congratulations to our new champ-The Penguins & Thai Barbarians!!!!!

Final Day Results
(MEN EVENT)
8th Borneo 10s Cup Final
Penguins International (UK) 19 vs SRC Borneo Eagles(MY) 5

Plate Final
Davetalevu (Fiji) 47 vs Borneo Development Team (MY) 0

Bowl Final
South African Mustangs (SA) 19 vs Kenya Harlequins (Kenya) 10

Cup Semi Finals
SRC Borneo Eagles (MY) 20 vs NS Wanderers (MY) 7
Penguins International (UK) 24 vs COBRA (MY) 0

Plate Semi Finals
Davetalevu (Fiji) 10 vs Australian Legends (Aus) 5
Borneo Development Team (MY) 19 vs Belgium Barbarians (Belgium) 7

Cup Quarter Finals
SRC Borneo Eagles (MY) 43 vs Borneo Development Team (MY) 0
NS Wanderers (MY) 52 vs Belgium Barbarians (Belgium) 7
Penguins International (UK) 31 vs Davetalevu (Fiji) 7
COBRA (MY) 15 vs Australian Legends (Aus) 12

(WOMEN EVENT)
1st Borneo Women 7s Cup Final
Thai Barbarians (Thailand) 24 vs The Atlantis (USA) 0

Plate Final
RSC Mandingo (MY) 5 vs RSC Dinga Linga Ling (MY) 5

Semi Final
Thai Barbarians (Thailand) 53 vs RSC Mandindo (MY) 0
Atlantis (USA) 41 vs RSC Dinga Linga Ling (MY) 0

Goodbye Borneo Tens!

After organising the Borneo Tens for the Eight Year.. we have finally decided to say goodbye... and guess what???? NEXT YEAR.. WE ARE GOING FOR SEVENS!!!!

We will soon announce our Borneo Sevens (Men & Women) 2009 !!!!!!

Not just any Sevens, it will be played, served & enjoyed- the BORNEO WAY!!!

We will announce the dates, packages, tournament details in due course... meanwhile, stay put for the results, photos & some match highlights of the 8th Borneo Tens & 1st Borneo Women Sevens.....coming soon in this Blog!!!!

The Date is Finally Here!

There are lots to do, and even though we have been planning and planning, and the last couple of weeks, executing... there are still lots to do.. and we are all EXCITED!

I'm looking so much forward to welcome all the teams, friends I have been making all year long, and can't wait to be apart of the tournament, watching the best people in rugby, warming our Club & the idea of just being here to be with all of them ..... overwhelming... really is.

On top of that.., I must say that I have been really worried as well, hoping all the arrangements are in place and there will not be any last minute hic cups! And I hate to worry.. cause its no fun!

I have not been sleeping well for the last couple of weeks, so I've got these huge panda eyes, which is good, in a way.. at least, it won't make it that hard for anyone to recognise me from far!

Just wanna say thank you to all you guys for supporting us, supporting my blog, and having to keep up with my annoying emails...

I sincerely hope, you guys would enjoy the tournament and I truly hope the friendships we build in the name of Rugby and our passion for it, will last us much longer than Nov 8th & 9th! I know it will, and God Bless us for that !

I'm PROUD to say, 8th BORNEO TENS & 1ST BORNEO WOMEN RUGBY .... HERE WE COME!

Women Team 4 : Thai Women's Barbarians

Based in Bangkok, more than half of the team play for the national women's 7s and 15s squads and have competed in Hong Kong, China,Kazakhstan,Uzbekistan,Qatar and Singapore. The players are drawn from a myriad of tertiary institutions. This year is champion of Blacks Midnight 7s.

SRC's Liaison Exec : Pearl Lim

Women Team 2 & 3 : The Royal Selangor Club (RSC Dinga Linga Ling & RSC Mandingo)-Malaysia

The Royal Selangor Club Dingoes (RSC Dingoes) is the women’s rugby arm of the Royal Selangor Club Rugby Section, one of the oldest rugby club in Asia established in 1884. Based in Kuala Lumpur, RSC Dingoes was formed in early 2008. Although it is newly formed, we’re picking up the pace; a team with its heart in the right place and gearing up for our very first major tournament in November 2008 at the Borneo Women’s 7s.

RSC Dingoes is the only active contact women’s rugby union team in Malaysia! We’re proud to say that in such a short time since the team was formed, we’ve manage to play visiting teams from Hong Kong and the National Laos Team and also to play an exhibition game during the annual Guinness Jonah Jones Rugby Sevens in August this year and soon we will be doing the same at Borneo 10’s on November 2nd. C U in Borneo!

SRC's Liaison Execs : Angel Hon & Kessnah Kwan

Women Team 1: Atlantis (USA)

Atlantis: 23 years and 27 countries

Atlantis was founded in 1986 originally as a men’s invitational team from the Atlantic coast of the US. Since then it has been expanded to include women and the entire USA.

Depending on the level of the tournament we may include players representing the best the US has to offer; for other tournaments we try to improve our level of play by mixing sides of experienced players and novices.

Through July 2008, 810 players – from throughout the US – have represented Atlantis: 509 men and 301 women. We are particularly proud of the many US national team players that have played for us and of Atlanteans that have gone on to represent the US: 171 US Eagles (103 men and 68 women) have played for Atlantis. 95 of these represented Atlantis prior to the US.

The Atlantis men’s first tournament was the 1986 Harvard Sevens, in which they were runners-up, and the women’s first tournament was the 1992 Benidorm Sevens (Spain), which they won. 175 Atlantis squads have played in 125 tournaments in 26 different countries in its first 22 years of existence. On 14 of those occasions – including tours to Trinidad, Brazil, Venezuela as well as tournaments in the US and Canada – Atlantis tours comprised both men’s and women’s teams.

As of July 4, 2008, the Atlantis men’s record is 352-197-6 and the women’s record is 272-54-3. Some of these victories have been quite impressive – Atlantis men beat France at the 1992 Aer Lingus Sevens in Limerick (before losing to them in the finals), defeated Wellington (NZ) in Belfast in 1993, and Queensland in the 1997 Adelaide Sevens, as well as coming back from a 19-0 deficit to stun the Welsh Wizards in Benidorm in 1995.

Atlantis Women won the 1992 Benidorm Sevens over a team composed almost entirely of English internationals. Including that tournament, they have won 29 of the 44 tournaments they’ve entered, including six Caribbean Sevens in Trinidad and Tobago between 2001 and 2007.

Atlantis tries to be a good ambassador of the US wherever it travels and looks forward on this tour to meeting many fellow rugby aficionados from another corner of the world.

The Atlantis women players that will tour Borneo range in age from 20-ish to 40-ish, and they include a university student, a doctor and a personal trainer. Its two senior citizens – Michelle Persica and Jessica Hammond – have both represented the US.

SRC's Liaison Exec : Tresia Bean

Team 11: Borneo Eagles Development Team (Malaysia)

Photo coming up soon!

Call them what you may - future champions, up-and-coming stars, talented understudies, uncut gems, title aspirants or whatever, the Borneo Eagles Development Team IS the future of Sabah Rugby.

The elite from the Sabah Academy for Rugby Excellence, they are being systematically groomed to be the future flag bearers of Sabah Rugby. And the fact is that several of them have already ‘stood in’ when their seniors were unavailable for major tournaments and have proven themselves to be up to par. The ‘creme de la creme’ of Sabah junior rugby players, these youngsters are being taught to play the game by professional players and coaches from Fiji and Samoa among them the legendary Tomasi Cama.

With enthusiasm and youthful exuberance they play a brand of rugby that is both exciting and spirited. And most important of all they thoroughly enjoy themselves playing the game. All have undergone expert evaluation by a panel of professional coaches who are responsible for charting their progress.

Unpolished stones they may now be, but, after going through the grind of playing regularly against international players, we expect them to emerge as sparkling gems one day.

Team 10: Borneo Eagles of Sandakan Rugby Club (Malaysia)

Formed less than 4 years ago, the Borneo Eagles from Sandakan Rugby Club Sabah, are a comparatively young team. Nonetheless they have leapfrogged to claim a place among the most elite teams in this region.

During the 2007 edition of this Borneo 10s, they wrecked havoc on the seedings and, against all odds, took home the Cup.

During the course of the last few years, their more memorable achievements are: Alor Star City International 7s (Champions 2005), 58th Singapore Cricket Club International 7s (Plate Champions 2005), Manila SEA Games International 7s (Gold medallists 2005), Malaysian Rugby Union’s National Inter-Club Championships (Champions 2006), Negeri Sembilan Royal 7s (Champions 2006), HSBC-COBRA 10s (Plate champions 2006, Cup semifinalist 2007), Jonah Jones 7s 2008 (Cup champions).

They also posted respectable results at other overseas such as the Dubai 7s and more recently the Hong Kong 10s.

Their players also featured prominently in the Sabah State Team that are the reigning champions of the prestigious Agong’s Cup.

The Borneo Eagles comprise of a spirited combination of former and current national players ably backed by guest players from Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand.

Playing on their own pitch at Sandakan Rugby Club (Home of the Eagles), they will be going all out to make this a memorable tournament i.e. to successfully defend the title and keep the Cup for at least another year.

Team 9 : NS Wanderers (Malaysia)

The NS Wanderers are one of the leading rugby clubs in Malaysia. The establishment of the club in 1984 is based on the passion and love for the sport of rugby. From a humble beginning the club has made giant strides in the rugby scene in Malaysia by winning a number of tournaments in 15s, 10s and 7s. The club has a pool of 150 players encompassing under 19s, seniors and veterans categories. A number of players from the club has or is representing Malaysia in international tournaments. The club has also attracted the likes of Waisale Serevi, Tomasi Cama and Lepani Nabuliwaqa as guest players on separate occasions and tournaments. Currently NSW is the National Inter Club Champion of Malaysia for two years in a row.

SRC's Liaison Exec : Kasmin Sait

Team 8 : COBRA (Malaysia)

The Combined Old Boys’ Rugby Association (COBRA) was formed on 8th June 1967, during the time when members of the Commonwealth forces and expatriates dominated rugby in Malaysia. COBRA initially had 19 members and four Life Members.The objective behind the formation of COBRA was primarily to cater for ex-school rugby players who had few opportunities to continue playing unless they were members of teams of institutions of higher learning or of the uniformed forces at the time.

This year alone COBRA competed in 6 tournament both 7’s and 10’s. Manage to qualify to all finals and winning 2 tournaments as champions in Alor Setar 7’s including our most recent 10’s final, The Thiess Bali 10’s.

Without a doubt there will be more to come from COBRA Rugby by keeping the spectators entertain with high scoring, monster tackling and exceptional running style rugby.

2008 Achievements

NS 7’s – Cup Runners Up
Taiping 10’s – Cup Runners Up
Alor Setar 7’s – Cup Champions
Jonah Jones 7’s – Cup Runners up
Singapore Black 10’s – Cup Runners Up
Thiess Bali 10’s – Cup Champions

SRC's Liaison Exec : Dunian Sulong

Team 7: Kenya Harlequins

Kenya Harlequin is one of the oldest clubs in Kenya, having been formed in 1952. Since then the club has been actively involved in rugby in local leagues and cups as well as several tournaments. Kenya Harlequin is also a part of the relatively successful Rhinos franchise, both of which are affiliated to the Kenya Rugby Football Union. In contemporary times, Kenya Harlequin or “Quins” as they are popularly known, have greatly dominated the local rugby scene and remain a potent force to be reckoned with at all times. During the last decade Kenya Harlequin have toured South Africa (3 occasions), Zimbabwe (1), Uganda (2) and Tanzania (4). This has all being done with the aim of being the most superior side in Kenya. No other rugby club in Kenya comes close to Kenya Harlequin in terms of foreign tours undertaken.

Quins comprise of three active sides, the 1st XV, the 2nd XV, and Under 21. These sides compete in several levels of competition in the local leagues, namely the Kenya Cup, the Eric Shirley Shield and the Under 21 league. The local leagues run from February to late October. Thereafter there is the local 7’s circuit that runs for a period of 5 weeks.
The last decade has seen plenty of exciting times at Quins. Silverware that has donned the shelves at the club has been as follows (memory not failing us):
1995 – Kenya Cup
1995 – Enterprise Cup
1996 – Kenya Cup
1996 – Enterprise Cup
1996 – Eric Shirley Shield
1996 – Nakuru 10 A Side
1997 – Impala Floodlit
1997 – Blackrock Trophy
1999 – Kenya Cup
1999 – Enterprise Cup
1999 – National Sevens Champions
2000 – Safari Sevens Bowl Winners
2002 – Kabeberi Sevens
2003 – Christie Sevens
2003 – Kenya Cup
2003 – Enterprise Cup
2003 – Nakuru 10 a side
2003 – Driftwood Sevens
2004 – Driftwood Sevens
2004 – Blackrock Trophy
Previous Kenya Cup victories: 1955, 1957, 1964, 1988

SRC's Liaison Exec : Lo Kok Leong

Team 6 : Penguins International

The Penguins return to Sabah for the second time following the initial visit last year. The Penguin party will comprise of two elements. The team to play in the Borneo 10s and four academy coaches to undertake a series of coaching activities will elite youth rugby players.
After last years visit, it was not a question of if, but when, so the club is delighted to have been invited back. We are all looking forward to visiting Sandakan and experiencing more of the great local hospitality.

The Penguins played in the Hong Kong FC 10s in March this year, losing the final to NZ Metro. Also, the Penguins played 4 XVs matches in the UK during 2008 beating Cambridge University, Sidcup (125th anniversary match) and Bedford Athletic (100th anniversary match) and lost to Oxford University.

The Penguins will be trying to do one better than lasts years result by wining the tournament. However, this is no easy feat, with a number of strong sides in the competition.

Returning from last years Penguin team are Tony Penn (Taranaki, Hurricanes, New Zealand Maori) and Toby Arnold (Bay of Plenty) with the side being coached by Dean Herewini, not a stranger to the Borneo Eagles! The Penguin party will be managed by Craig Brown.

The HSBC Penguin Coaching Academy and the Penguin International RFC gratefully acknowledges the friendship and support from our sponsor, HSBC. A big thank you to Thomas and all of his team who have made us very welcome. The Penguins personally recommend HSBC, the worlds local bank, and would encourage all to use their fine services.

SRC's Liaison Exec : Jesford Majalap

Congratulations to the Malaysian Team

Yes, we just won in the recent Singer-Sri Lankan Airlines International Rugby Sevens organised by Kandy Sports Club on behalf of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. The international tournament was held on Sep 6th & 7th in Sri Langka. Next challenge will be the HK international tournament this coming Oct 4th & 5th in Hong Kong. To the Malaysian delegation, we are proud of you and to our Borneo Eagles players, we "salute" you!!!!

Here's an article on the tournament (credit to Sri Lanka Sports News Online)

Malaysia’s Skipper Tan Kah Hock (extreme left) and coach Tomasi Kamai hold aloft the Cup Championship Trophy after receiving it from Chairman of Singer Sri Lanka Ltd., Hemaka Amarasuriya (extreme right)who was the chief guest after they beat Korea by 31 points to 21 in the final of the Singer-SriLankan Rugby Sevens played at Nittawela yesterday. Pictures by Sulochana Gamage

Malaysia staged one of the greatest fight backs seen in the tournament to score an emphatic 31 points (3 goals, 2 tries) to 21 (3 goals) win over Korea to clinch the Cup Championship for the first time in the finals of the Singer-SriLankan Airlines International Rugby Sevens organised by Kandy Sports Club on behalf of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union with Amaya Hills as associate sponsor and worked off at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy yesterday. At half time it was Korea who led 21-5.
Korea who earlier beat Sri Lanka to walk into the semi-finals have themselves to blame for this defeat after they had virtually wrapped up the match at lemons. Korea led 14-0 at one stage but they never bargained to the fight back by the Malaysians who had three Fijians in their team.
Korea opened scoring almost with the kick off Soo Kweng scored under the post and this was converted by Hong Jung (Korea 7-0). Two minutes they scored again through Hung Jung and he converted it himself. Korea led 14-0

Malaysia reduced the lead through Timool Nacokula who kicked ahead and made a breezy run to score far left and this went unconverted.
One more try before lemons by Lim Jaye Hung which was converted by Hung Jun Li saw them lead 21-5 at lemons.
But after the breather the entire complexion of the game changed with the Malaysian showing mere punch in their attack which completely baffled the Koreans. Tries by Mohammed Naseen. Semi Saruvakula, Viliano Veto with Mohammed Naseen adding the extra points to two of them was Malaysians lead 24-21. Almost on the stroke of full time the Malaysians were awarded a penalty try which was converted by Veto to score a shock victory. In the Cup semi finals Sri Lanka put up a dismal display to lose to Korea by 28 points (4 goals) to 14 (2 goals) after the Koreans had led 14-7 at the breather.
It was Sri Lanka who scored first through Saliya Kumara which was goalled by himself.
But in the period of play which followed the Sri Lankan failed to impress as some inept play under slippery conditions allowed the Koreans to get on top of them. Koreans first scored through Kwak Chul Wong with Hong Jung adding the extra points. They took the lead through another try by Chan Jong Man with June Ki converting to forge ahead 14-7 at half time.
Immediately after the turn arab Soo Kwung with a fierce run scored under the post and Jong Ki added the extra points for the Koreans to lead 21-7. Soo Kwang scored his second try and converted himself to lead 28-7.

It was in the dying stages of the game that Sanjeewa Jayasinghe sprinted nearly 80 metres to score under the post for Saliya Kumara to add the extra points to reduce the lead 14-28.
In the second semi-finals Malaysia beat China by 35 points (5 goals) to 14 (2 goals) after leading 21-7 at half time.
Earlier during the day Thailand beat Arabian Gulf 28-24. Korea drew with Malaysia 28 all. Chinese Taipei beat Kazakhastan 21-7 Sri Lanka beat China 17-7.
Sri Lanka’s performance declined so badly in the afternoon that in the match for the third and fourth places China trounced Sri Lanka by 24 points (2 goals, 2 tries) to 5 (1 try) after leading 14-5 at lemons.
Kazakhastan became Plate Champions by defeating Chinese Taipei by 22 points (1 goal, 3 tries) to 12 (1 goal, 1 try). At half time Chinese Taipei led 7-5.
In the Plate semi finals Kazakhastan beat Thailand 17-15, and Chinese Taipei beat Arabian Gulf 17-10. In the contest for the seventh and eighth places Arabian Gulf beat Thailand 17-7. Singapore won the Bowl Championship beating India by 15 points (3 tries) to nil in the finals.

Other Profiles coming up guys!!!!!

Team 5 : Davetalevu

Participated in mainly rugby sevens tournament in SEA over the past fifteen years. The team is usually made up of mainly up and coming players from the Club who usually progress to represent the Fijian national side in both fifteens and sevens. A close club relationship with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces team has seen predominantly military personnel represent the club in recent years.

SRC's Liaison Exec : Ronald Banus Tuzan

Team 4 : Country King Browns

The country king browns were formed in 2007 as idea to give young up and coming rugby players from country australia, an opportunity to play with and against some the greats of the code. players from the bush have struggled in recent times to gain the recognition they deserve and often the pathway to representive rugby is blocked. the country king browns contested the darwin "hottest 7s" in january 2008 and lost the plate final. the ckb's were proud to have the services of former st george dragon, kangaroo rep and one time nsw waratah, nathan blacklock. nathan was an instant hit with the kids in darwin and we look forward to continued support from nathan. the ckb's have also secured the services of dual international and current qld reds player
andrew walker. andrew will also no doubt be a hit with the ckb players and fans. another superstar of league has also joined the ckb's. darren albert, a former nsw state of origin rep and the 1997 grand final winning hero for the newcastle knights will join the ckb's. along with former aussie 7s players james morgan and corey niwa, the ckb's will no doubt achieve their aim of having "country meet the world!!"

SRC's Liaison Exec : Warner Anthony

Team 3 : SA Mustangs

The SA Mustangs club was founded in 2008 especially to create a platform for our young rugby players to showcase their talent and potential on an International level.
The club is made up from players from the greater Gauteng region and our aim is to expand the club to one of the best on a competitive level.

We see the Malaysian and Borneo Championships as crucial to our development efforts as it gives us the opportunity to pit our skills against experienced players from some of the greatest rugby playing Nations. Coach Naas Rossouwe and Manager Johan Spies are confident that the SA Mustangs will make a great impact on the 10’s championships this year.

SRC's Liaison Exec : Wong Vui Hen

Team 2 : Australian Rugby Legends

The Australian Rugby Legends are by definition an invitational Rugby Club but we are much more than that. We are a non-profit company founded in 1995 to promote rugby at grassroots by plating the game when and wherever we can, conducting coaching clinics for both juniors and seniors, raising much needed funds for charity in places usually by-passed by mainstream rugby organizations.

All Directors of the Australian Rugby Legends are honorary positions and do not accept any form of remuneration, as stated in the company’s Constitution other than legitimate expenses as pre approved by the Board.

What Do We Stand For

The Australian Rugby Legends concept is more about the spirit, ideals and traditions of this great game, the upholding of the values that we as kids held special when we played such as playing for fun, enjoying a few beers after the game with our teammates and opposition and importantly to relate the odd story of past deeds on the rugby field that make us all Legends in one way or another.

As the name suggests our players are legends. Most at some stage have in their career donned the Wallaby jersey, others have worn the colours of their state and then there are those legends, which have donned with equal pride, nothing more than their local club jersey.

The Australian Legends Rugby selection criteria dictates that we mix legends of the past with legends of the future in the hope of giving tomorrow’s talent the chance to learn from yesterdays hero’s.

SRC's Liaison Exec : Rolan Bin Abdul Samad

8th Borneo Tens : Team 1(Belgium Barbarians)

Belgium Barbarians are one of the top touring teams from Belgium and since their inception, they have participated in many rugby sevens tournament around the globe. Among tournaments they have participated with successes are the New York 7s (runner-up), Montreal 7s (Cup winner), Roma 7s, Sofia 7s, Tangier 7s, Uruguay Punta del Este 7s as well Bangkok 10s (Cup winner) and famous COBRA 10s twice. Former international French player F. NTamack will join them this year for the tournament.

SRC's Liaison Exec : Dunian Sulong

Warming up the Club!

We had our first match last weekend at the new Sandakan Rugby Clubhouse. It was the Gilbert President Cup finals organised under the wings of Sabah Rugby Union. The clubhouse is just 85 % ready, a few more touch ups, and we are all set for Nov! Here are some pics!

The Home of the Eagles!

Yup, we are almost done!