Cobra gear for tough battle
PRESS RELEASE
MAIN SPONSORS, TEAM GROUPINGS AND FIXTURES ANNOUNCED
FOR THE
44th HSBC COBRA 10s 2013
COBRA Faces Uphill Battle To
Regain Trophy Against Tough Competition
Petaling Jaya, Wednesday: COBRA Rugby Club, today announced the main sponsors participating
in the 44th HSBC COBRA 10s 2013, as the organizing committee
enters its final phase of preparations before the Tournament takes place
on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November 2013
at the Petaling Jaya Stadium in Kelana Jaya. Title sponsor HSBC were
joined by Main Sponsors made up of IJM Corporation, Carlsberg Malaysia,
ASTRO, Newfields Advisors, Permanis, Hwang Investment Management and
Yokohama in what is expected to be an intense 44th HSBC COBRA
10s.
This home-grown rugby tournament was conceived in 1967 and COBRA has
been pivotal to the continued success of the tournament, tirelessly
working towards making it an eagerly anticipated fixture in the international
rugby calendar. In the 44th edition of the world’s premier
10s tournament, 16 teams representing 7 countries, including six from
Malaysia, will compete to wrest the trophy from defending champions
Daveta Rugby of Fiji.
Most of the Main Sponsors have been involved in the tournament previously,
testimony to the credibility and appeal of the tournament. The positive
support gained from the main sponsors has allowed COBRA to assemble
a very high quality field of teams that promises Malaysian rugby fans
a fantastic weekend of high quality rugby.
“On behalf of COBRA as well as the Malaysian rugby fraternity, I
wish to convey our heartfelt gratitude to each and every sponsor for
their support. The strong support from the sponsors has enabled us to
assemble an incredibly strong line up of teams from seven nations, that
will give rugby fans here an amazing weekend of rugby,” said Tan Sri
Dato Krishnan Tan, Chairman of the Organising Committee.
Stalwarts of the tournament, HSBC Penguins from the United Kingdom,
defending champions Daveta Rugby and Malaysian favourites Borneo Eagles
and COBRA are seeded and expected to go through to the quarterfinals
but they will be given a tough examination by the Kiwi contingent made
up of Global Lions, Papatoetoe RFC, Fiji Auckland RU and 1NZBDE (1st
New Zealand Brigade), who are returning to the tournament after a 25-year
hiatus. The NZ military side used to be perennial champions and in fact,
are the record winners of the COBRA 10s having won it 11 times. They
are expected to pose a strong challenge to the established order. Rounding
out the international teams are NNK Northlink from South Africa, Casuarina Cougars
and NS Silverbacks from Australia and debutants Cambodia Koupreys.
Apart from COBRA and Borneo Eagles, there is strong representation
from Malaysia with six teams in the fray including Sibu District Rugby
Union, NS Wanderers, Keris Conlay and KK Sharks RFC. Borneo Eagles will
be looking to avenge their defeat to Daveta in the finals of the recently
concluded Borneo 7s while host team COBRA will be looking to once again
claim the championship title last won in 2008.
The HSBC-COBRA 10s will be played in a four group format with 16 teams
competing for the coveted Hui Weng Choon Trophy and RM70,000 in total
prize money. The tournament begins at 8.30am on both days and rugby
fans can expect an extravaganza of rugby along with ample food and drinks
to keep them sated all weekend.
The two-day tournament will have each team play three preliminary
round matches on the first day, progressing to a knockout format on
the second day. The winner and second placed team from each of
the four pools will contest in the Cup competition. The third and fourth
placed teams from each pool will contest the Plate competition.
The losers of the cup quarterfinals will contest in the Bowl competition.
The fast and open game of rugby 10s, which retains much of the character
of the 15s, will be played over 20 minutes, with the exception of the
finals, which will be played over 30 minutes. Three points will be awarded
for a win and one point for a draw. No extra time will be played
in the pool match stages.
As part of COBRA’s social commitment, they will be organising coaching
clinics for schoolboys, which will be undertaken by some of the participating
teams. They will also be arranging for schoolboys to watch the finals.
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