Last chance for rugby rookies to make Gold Coast squad

KUALA LUMPUR: Three rookies have to impress in the Borneo Sevens rugby tournament in order to be selected for the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, from April 415.

The trio are centre Muhammad Aaziem Badaruddin, winger Mohd Zaiheri Zumardi and forward Muhammad Haikal Ibrahim.

National Sevens coach Saizul Hafifi Mohd Noor (pic) said the threeday tournament in Sandakan will be the last chance for them toearn a national callup.

“They will be playing against strong foreign clubs and I want to see how well they can adapt to the situation as we are going to face strong opponents in the Commonwealth Games, such as South Africa,” he said.

Saizul, who guided Malaysia to the first ever gold in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year, said there are 17 players in the squad which will be trimmed down to 12 players for the Games.

In Borneo Sevens, Malaysia are drawn in Group B with Tribe 7s, Belgium Barbarian and Tainan Chang Jung Rugby Team while Group A comprises defending champions Borneo Eagles, ICO of New Zealand and Thailand.

Hong Kong Dragon, Mellowpuff Barbarian, Tawau Rugby and Sabah Sukma are drawn in Group C while Group D consists of Sabah Eagles, Sri Lanka and Islander Rugby Club.

Saizul said three key players – captain Zulkiflee Azmi, forward Muhammad Ameer Nasrun Zulkefli and centre Mohd Nasir Asaari – will not feature in the tournament.

“Zulkiflee has taken a short break as he got married last Saturday while Ameer and Nasir are down with hamstring and knee injuries,” he said.

The rugby competition in the Commonwealth Games is scheduled on April 1315.

Sixteen teams will feature in the tournament and Malaysia are drawn in Group A with South Africa, Scotland and Papua New Guinea.

Group B consists of England, Australia, Samoa and Jamaica while Group C comprises New Zealand, Canada, Kenya and Zambia.

Olympic champions Fiji, Wales, Uganda and Sri Lanka are drawn in Group D.