15s squad back in action after three-year hiatus

PETALING JAYA: After almost a three-year hiatus at the international level following the Covid-19 pandemic, the national rugby squad will finally get to see some action this weekend.

The Bungaraya 15s squad, coached by former All Black’s Rodney So’oialo, will be competing in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) in Incheon, South Korea, which is also the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup in France.

The Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU) in a statement said that Malaysia will face South Korea in the opening match at the Namdung Stadium on June 4.

“The winner will take on Hong Kong on July 8 or 9, 2022. The winner of that match will then move into the repechage against Tonga on July 23 in Australia for a place in the World Cup,” read the statement.

MRU also announced the list of 24 players who will represent the country in the ARC with Badrul Muktee picked as the captain.

Malaysia last competed in the ARC in 2019. — Bernama

THE SQUAD

Amirul Mukminin Amizan, Mohd Faris Abdullah, Mohd Shah Izwan Nordin, Noor Alif Ikhmal Noor Hisham, Samuel Rentap Meran, Badrul Muktee, Mohd Siddiq Amir Jalil, 8. Hamizan Rosli, Mohd Hakim Ramli, Syarif Nurhidayat Muzhaimey, Ahmad Zulhilmi Azizad, Mohd Zharif Affandi Mohd Zahib, Hariz Ezzat Hamidon, Amirul Aiman Ihsan Abas, Mohd Daim Zainudin, Mohd Azwan Zuwairi Mat Zizi, Mohd Faris Pead, Amirul Sani, Wan Azley Wan Omar, Joshua David Johns, Vatimio Rabebe, Timoci Vunimoku, Dinesvaran Krishnan, Etonia Vaqa Saukuru.