Cobra hope to win HSBC-Cobra 10’s for seventh time

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PETALING JAYA: COBRA rugby club (Cobra) hopes to win the HSBC-Cobra 10’s title for the seventh time when the two-day tournament kicks off tomorrow at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium, here.

Its head coach, Duncan Robertson was optimistic that his side could win the tournament after they roped in four imported New Zealand’s under-20 squad to beef up the local outfit.

The four were Hadleigh May, Tei Walden, Micheal Collins and Scott Eade.

“All of them are young players and had done well in the ITM Cup in New Zealand coupled with several young Malaysian and Fijian players.

“We don’t have any expectation but we hope to do well for Cobra in this tournament,” he told reporters after the announcement of the tournament at the Cobra club, here, yesterday.

On the three opponents which were drawn alongside them in Group D, Robertson said he did not know much about those teams, but hoped that his boys would give a strong fight.

They were Global Lions (New Zealand), NS Silverbacks (Australia) and Sabah-based outfit, KK Sharks Rugby Football Club.

“We will take game by game and I hope we can go far as we can and hopefully we can win the tournament again,” said Robertson who was a former 70’s All Blacks’ player.

For the record, Cobra had won the tournament six-times — 1968, 1972, 1975, 1977 (joint winner with Singapore’ Sembawang Tigers), 1998 and 2008.

Besides the four clubs, the 44th edition will see 11 other teams from seven countries, divided into four groups, vying to lift the coveted Hui Weng Choon trophy and RM70,000 prize money.

Daveta, who won their inaugural title last year, will spearhead the Group A challenge alongside Casuarina Cougars of Australia and Sarawak-based club, Sibu District Rugby Union.

Local outfits, NS Wanderers; HSBC Penguins (United Kingdom); Fiji Auckland (New Zealand) and debutant, Cambodia Koupreys were drawn in Group B while two local teams — Borneo Eagles and Keris Conlay had been pitted against NNK Northlinks of South Africa and 1 New Zealand Brigade Commanders Team in Group C. — Bernama