Naturalised players offer glimmer of hope

Malaysias Vatimio Rabebe (left) tries to get past from Hong Kong players during the Asia Rugby Championship 2018 at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil. FAIHAN GHANI/The Star.

I REFER to the StarSport report “Malaysia suffer terrible defeat to favourites Hong Kong” (Sunday Star, May 6).

Malaysia’s emergence as the Asian Division One champion came at a propitious moment when Japan is hosting the Rugby World Cup 2019. Being host, Japan is automatically qualified to the Championship with the ripple effect that earned Malaysia the opportunity to participate in an ad hoc Asian Premier League with two Asian heavyweights as opponents, Hong Kong and South Korea.