Cobra 10s: Penguins still the team to beat but new faces add intrigue

KUALA LUMPUR: Hosts Cobra will not be taking any team lightly when they compete in the Cobra Rugby 10s at Padang Astaka, Petaling Jaya this weekend (Nov 1-2).

Cobra will be looking to recapture the title they last won in 2023 and team manager Fauzani Mohd Aris is confident they can go far in the tournament this season.

He believes defending champions Penguin International RFC will be among their main rivals but is unsure of what to expect from the other teams.

The competition will feature six foreign teams this season – POM Harlequins (Papua New Guinea), NTK Rugby (South Africa), Koko Samoa (Samoa), Pakuranga Rugby Club, Hautapu SSC (both New Zealand) and Penguins (UK).

Cobra is one of six local sides listed in the competition this year. The others are KL Tigers, SSTMI Tsunami, MBSJ Knights, Royal Town Warriors and KRAS Rugby.

“In the rugby fraternity everybody knows the Penguins, they have a strong team and players from all over the world. I believe they will be our main rivals,” said Fauzani when met recently.

“I am sure a number of the other foreign teams will also be dangerous.

“And of course, we cannot afford to underestimate the other Malaysian teams competing.

“We know that Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School has quality youngsters in their team.

“But then we also have newcomers such as MBSJ Knights as well as KRAS. We are not sure what kind of players they will be fielding so this will be a challenge for us.”

Fauzani believes the current Cobra squad has what it takes to reach the final of their home competition.

Cobra had lost to Australian side Casuarina Cougars 15-7 in the semi-finals last year.

Penguins went on to beat Cougars 19-10 in the final.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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