Agong’s Cup platform to build ‘strongest’ national team

KUAL A LUMPU R: The 2 0 1 8 Agong ’ s Cup Rugby Championship starting this Saturday will be the best platform for the Malaysia Rugby Union ( MRU) to build a national team for the coming 2019 Asia Rugby Championship ( ARC) premier division competition.

Competition director Fahmy Jalil said the championship which will be participated by 15 state and club teams is a preliminary selection process for players to take on the country’s challenge at the 2019 ARC premier division.

“The 2018 Agong’s Cup Rugby Championship is the initial process to form the strongest national side to compete in the ARC premier division competition next year in which we would be facing tough teams such as South Korea and Hong Kong.

“After experiencing the level of difficulties at the ARC premier division this year, we will be making thorough preparation for the tournament next year,” he told a media conference at Wisma OCM yesterday.

He said the format of competition for the 36th Agong’s Cup would be given a fresh breath of air by introducing three divisions namely premier division, division one and division two according ARC standards to give the appropriate exposure to all players.

In their ARC premier division debut, Malaysia came out last behind champions Hong Kong and South Korea after losing all four matches. — Bernama