It’s time to go Wan better

Izzuddin aims to help Malaysia to rugby Sevens gold

TWO years ago, Wan Izzuddin Ismail was just an inexperienced player making his SEA Games debut in men’s rugby Sevens in Singapore.

Yet, he still managed to score two tries in four matches to help Malaysia reach the final, where they lost 24-7 to the Philippines.

This time, the 23-year-old hopes to go one better – help Malaysia win their first-ever gold at the biennial Games on home soil. He also wants to score more points for Malaysia.

“My goal in the SEA Games is to contribute as many tries as I can against the three title contenders – the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore.

“We are motivated to win the gold after watching our 15-a-side counterparts win the Division One title in the Asian Rugby Championships in Ipoh in April,” said Izzuddin.

Having set such lofty aims, it is only natural that Izzuddin is beginning to feel a little nervous.

“I am beginning to feel the pressure, actually. It’s because everyone is expecting us to defy the odds and deliver the gold in our own backyard,” he said.

“But we are taking it in our stride. Pressure or not, we are ready to put our bodies on the line to get the gold for our country.”

Being the optimist that he is, he pointed out that “nothing is impossible”.

“We just need to keep training harder to improve our tactical game. We also need to keep believing in ourselves,” said Izzuddin, who is pursuing a degree in communication and modern language at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Izzuddin, who has been playing rugby Sevens for some time, admitted that the game is different compared to that of a 15-a-side.

“In Sevens, every moment is intense and fast. You can’t switch off for even a second and must treat every opponent seriously right from the first whistle to the last,” he said.

Izzudin also revealed that nothing would stop him from playing the bruising sport.

“Rugby is a contact sport, so getting knocks and bruises are part and parcel of the game.

“What keeps me going and motivated on the field is the bond I share with my team-mates. We rugby players are a different breed.

“We thrive on the camaraderie forged on and off the field,” said Izzuddin, who was out of action for eight months after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during the KL Sukma in 2013.