Borneo Eagles hope to soar with all-Kiwi line-up

KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Borneo Eagles will be the team to beat in the two-day Cobra 10s rugby tournament, which begins at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Stadium in Kelana Jaya today.

All 14 players in the Sabah team are from New Zealand and they have been training in Auckland for the last 10 days.

The Borneo Eagles players are Talaave George Pisi, Gafatasi William Su’a, Sebastion Peaario Siataga, William Douglas Jordan Junior Talataina-Mu, Shane Gregory Neville, Orbyn NaboaTamati Leger, Vuga Wakaitolu Tagicakibau, Jona Vugona Tuitoga, Jonathan David Hickey, Benjamin Petaia Nee-nee, Liam Thomas Steel, Michelangelo Alexander Tsosene-Feagai, Telefoni Junior Iakopo Afa and Tain Michael Lam.

The team are coached by former All Blacks player Edwin Cocker and assisted by another Kiwi – Bradley Moni Mika.

Borneo Eagles president Vela Tan acknowledged that they are serious about defending the title.

“We have named 14 Kiwi players as we want to put up a strong challenge,” said Vela, who is also the deputy president of Malaysia Rugby.

Sabah have entered two teams for the Cobra 10s, with the Sabah Eagles fielding a mix of local players and a few Fijians.

Borneo Eagles are in Group A with Duka Old Boys of South Africa, Singapore Barbarians and KL Tigers.

Group B comprises Daveta of Fiji, Western Province of South Africa, Global Lions of New Zealand and Sabah Eagles.

Cobra, Auckland Varsity Vipers, Charis Wolfpacks Rugby and Panthers Blowpipe make up Group C while Group D consists of North Harbour of New Zealand, NNK Northlink of South Africa, West RFC of Australia and NS Wanderers.

Borneo Eagles, powered by players from New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa, outplayed Cobra 19-0 in last year’s final at Padang Utara in Petaling Jaya.