Joining forces to tackle the Aussies

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THE Bintang Rugby Club (BRC) have teamed up with SM Sains Selangor (SMSS) to form a side for two friendly matches against the touring squad from the University of Western Australia (UWA).

They recently conducted a selection before naming the 22 players in the squad to face the visitors in the Under-14 encounter scheduled to be held at the Alice Smith School in Seri Kembangan on Oct 4 and 10.

A total of 36 players, comprising players from several international schools around the Klang Valley and the local students, took part in the trial.

Andy Lawrence, who is coaching the combined team, said it was a tough call to exclude the other 14 players from the final line-up.

Tackle: Prop Amirul Asyraf (centre) from SMSS pulling his opponent back from a breakaway.

“They performed several drills for about 90 minutes before playing in three periods of 20 minutes each. Although we started from scratch, we tried to assemble a respectable side with the players available. As a result, we saw the first choice team dominating the second and third periods,” he added.

This is the second time the club side and the school have combined this year. Earlier, in the middle of the year, their Under-16 squad had competed against another club side from Dubai.

SMSS coach Raja Idris Raja Ali said it had been a great experience forging a perfect partnership with the BRC to groom the beginners, comprising Form One and Form Two students, in their development programme.

“Our students were eager to earn their places in the team. They even returned early from their Hari Raya Aidilfitri break to attend the selection. It is an opportunity for them to gain exposure playing against tougher opponents,” he added.

Since the beginning of the year, the majority of the SMSS new trainees have been training four times a week and they are also preparing for the Under-15 national schools 10-a-side tournament to be held in Kota Baru, Kelantan, in November.

“We are hoping to establish a long-term relationship with the BRC. They have also been assisting us in coaching our students.

Crowded field: The forward pack from both sides trying to overpower each other in the scrum.

It is also good for our students to foster friendship with their peers of different nationalities. The socialising aspect, through interaction on and off the field, is equally important,” Raja Idris said, adding that they would be combining again for friendlies against visiting sides from Singapore and Dubai at the end of the year.

As a build-up to their upcoming assignment against the Australians, they will be testing their strength against the SMSS Under-16 team today, and this will be followed by a light workout on the eve of their opening match.

“We have not seen the Australians in action. We are only expecting them to be stronger with better physique. But, we have a reliable back line with good pace and quick handling skills to keep us in contention,” Lawrence said.