Defending champions Negeri Sembilan Wanderers will lead a field of 10 teams in the Super League division of the 16th International Power Royal Sevens (IPRS) Malaysia 2014.
Wanderers defeated Keris Conlay 29-7 in last year’s final to clinch the coveted trophy for a record eighth time since 1999 and hope to be lucky when the 16th edition of the tournament gets underway from June 21-22 at the Seremban Municipality Council ground.
The foreign entries in the Super League division are Chinese Taipei RFU, Chinese Rugby FA and Singapore RU while the local challenge will be led by the Malaysian National Sevens squad, NS Wanderers, ASAS, Cobra Blacks, Keris Conlay, Iskandar Raiders and Polis Bersatu.
Only two other teams have won the International Power Royal Sevens more than once since its inception in 1999. Cobra Club were the inaugural champions and repeated that feat in 2011 while Sandakan Eagles triumphed in 2006 and 2010. The other winners were Bantura Orange (2001), Staroba (2002) and Chinese Taipei 2003).
YAM Tunku Naquiyuddin Tuanku Ja’afar, the royal patron for both Negeri Sembilan Rugby Union and NS Wanderers, described this year’s edition of the International Power Royal Sevens 2014 as ‘having some of the finest players with strong mixture of Fijian and Asian players battling for supremacy.”
“We have come a long way in developing rugby in Negeri Sembilan and today, we touched a new milestone by organising the International Power Royal Sevens for the 16th year,” said Tunku Naquiyuddin at a cheque presentation ceremony and press conference to announce the Royal Sevens in Kuala Lumpur today.
Bata Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Paolo Grassi, and representative from 17 other sponsors were also present at the event.
“With the growing support from foreign clubs and the fond memories of last year’s final, there is so much to look forward to this year’s championships,” he said, adding that Wanderers will also celebrate its 30th anniversary since the club’s formation in 1984.
The State Government, said Tunku Naquiyuddin, has been supportive of the International Power Royal Sevens, and extended his gratitude to Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Utama Hj Mohamad Hj Hasan, as well as main sponsors Bata Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Milo.
The other supporting sponsors are Milo, 100 Plus, Sapura Group, Westports Malaysia, Cement Industries of Malaysia Bhd (Cima), Lebuhraya Kajang-Seremban Sdn Bhd (Lekas), IJM Corporation Bhd, Skopwang, Can-One Berhad, Orix Leasing, National Sports Council, Ann Joo Steel Bhd, Kimgres Marketing, Lafarge, Tourism Malaysia, Strike and Bina Terbit Sdn Bhd.
Army JLJ may face a thorny and treacherous road in defending the Premier League title as National Super League and Super Cup champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) stand in their way, alongside 14 other challengers.
The Bandar Penawar-based SSTMI are in good form based on recent performances. SSTMI beat Keris Conlay 23-8 in the Super League final in February and followed up with a clinical 25-6 victory over defending champions Eagles RC to lift the Super Cup.
However, in the absence of defending champion Chinese Taipei Juniors and South African schools – Maties Academy and Trafalgar High School Cape Town who have left an indelible mark in the International Power Royal Sevens Malaysia since 2005, the winner of this year’s schools division will be decided between Malaysian and Singapore schools and clubs.
Singapore Malays and KL Saracens will make their debut.
NSRU president, Jalil Borhan, said both Maties Academy and Trafalgar High School have prior commitments while Chinese Taipei Juniors has indicated its interest in participating next year.
“In their absence, it will allow the locals schools and clubs to vie for the trophy. There are many good rugby-playing schools in this competition. Royal Military College, SSTMI and KL Saracens are among them,” said Jalil.
“There is always the element of surprise. Any of these teams are capable of making the final as it is your performance on the field day that counts,” he added. “There are no really clear favourites in all three divisions,” he added.
Following a rebranding exercise by Bintang Rugby Club, the club is now known as Saracens KL. In the 2013 Schools Division final of the IPRS, Chinese Taipei defeated Bintang RC 29-21.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS:
Super League Teams: Malaysian National Sevens, Chinese Taipei RFU, Chinese Rugby FA, NS Wanderers, ASAS, Cobra Blacks, Keris Conlay, Iskandar Raiders, Polis Bersatu and Singapore Rugby Union.
Premier League Teams: Singapore Malays, NS Perantau, Sibu Rugby Club, RSC Dogs, Orca, Cobra Development Team, Rama Rama Conlay, Army JLJ, Bangi Hunters, Sikamat Gunners, Za’aba Old Boys, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School, Majlis Perbandaran Klang, RMAF Black Hawks, Falcon Rugby Club, Politeknik Merlimau, Mersing Eagles and Samsira Old Boys.
Schools Division– Singapore Malays, Johor Rugby Academy, KL Saracens, SSNS Za’aba, Kolej Vokasional Lela Maharaja, SMK King George V, SMK Tuanku Muhamad, SMK Syed Sirajuddin, Kolej Vokasional Arau, SMK Alam Shah, SMS Hulu Selangor, SSTMI Junior, SBPI Kuantan, RMC, Terengganu.
