Malaysia eye victory over Sri Lanka to reach premier status

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia are all fired up to win the Asian Rugby Championship’s Division One title and rub shoulders with the elites – Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong – in the Premier Division.

World No. 55 and defending champions Malaysia will face world No. 39 Sri Lanka in the last round-robin match at Padang Ipoh today to decide the Division One winners.

Last year, Malaysia lost the opening match 15-10 to the Philippines before bouncing back to beat favourites Sri Lanka 42-17 and Singapore 40-20 to win their maiden Division One crown at the Royal Selangor Club in Bukit Kiara.

This year, Malaysia look almost unstoppable – having beaten the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 36-22 in the opening match on Sunday and thrashing the Philippines 40-8 on Wednesday.

But Sri Lanka have been just as impressive – defeating the Philippines 24-13 and outplaying UAE 33-17.

And they will surely be out to avenge their loss to Malaysia last year.

One thing in Malaysia’s favour, though, is that they have six naturalised players – Fijians Aporosa Duwaile, Etonia Vaqa Saukuru, Jone Mawara Nasalo, Samuela Tamanisau and Timoci Vunimoku and Samoa’s Sae Faalupega.

Malaysia also have two experienced players in Wong Wye Wye and K. Dinesvaran, who play for Hino Dolphin and Yamaha Jubilo in the Japanese National League.

No wonder national skipper Mohd Syahir Asraf Rosli is confident they can seal the Division One title again.

“The odds were stacked against us winning our first title last year. This time, my team-mates and I are in high spirits and we will give our best against Sri Lanka,” pledged the 29-year Syahir.

“We have enough depth in every department to challenge the Sri Lankans, who are here with a stronger team.

“We have a good combination in defence and we have also come up with a plan to stop Sri Lanka.

“Still, we need to be cautious as Sri Lanka are fast on the counter attacks,” he added.