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!!!!!