Tuesday October 27, 2009
Title defence will be a tough affair, says Cobra coach
By AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: Combined Old Boys Rugby Association (Cobra) have played down their chances of retaining the HSBC-Cobra 10s tournament at the Padang Utara in Petaling Jaya from Nov 14-15.
Coach Boon Hoon Chee said that they succeeded in winning the title last year with the help of nine foreign players – four Fijians, three New Zealanders and two South Africans.
“But we will have the services of only six Fijians this term. The other eight are local players. So it will be difficult for us to win the title again,” he said.
The Fijians are Vioniani Tauvoli Korotama, Kini Rasolosolo Tora, Isoa Turuva, Jolame Veidreyaici, Sekove Tora and Jone Dalituicama. Veidreyaici and Tora did not feature in the team last year.
Cobra are drawn in Group D with Royal Thai Navy, FARS of Iran and Kedah for the 16-team tournament.
Hoon Chee said that they should have no problem winning their group.
“The real challenge begins in the knockout stage against the likes of Penguins International, NNK of South Africa, Borneo Eagles and NS Wanderers, who have a number of good players,” he said.
Meanwhile, HSBC will be the title sponsors for the fifth consecutive year. Yesterday, the organising chairman, Datuk Azmi Khalid, received a mock cheque of RM100,000 from HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd’s Global Banking managing director, Malachy McAllister.
Cobra president Datuk Krishnan Tan said that the prevailing economic situation had affected sponsorship contributions.
“Nevertheless with the objective of continuing a tradition started 42 years ago, we decided to go ahead and host the tournament,” he said.
Group A: Penguins International, Sabah Eagles, ASAS, Kuching Rugby Football Club (KRFC).
Group B: NS Wanderers, NNK of South Africa, Royal Selangor Club, Terengganu.
Group C: Borneo Eagles, Swanbourne Nomads of Australia, Indian Rugby Union and Jurutera Letrik Jentera (JLJ).
Group D: Cobra, Royal Thai Navy, FARS of Iran, Kedah.
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