Singapore Rugby makes its debut amongst the top of the league at what is considered the premier rugby event in the Asian region, the Asian 5 Nations. We bring you news about that tournament, some interesting facts about rugby and an exclusive interview with a rugby Singapore Rugby player who has been working out at Fitness First.
Did you know?
• Legend has it that in 1823, during a game of school football in the town of Rugby, England, a young man named William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran towards the opposition’s goal line. Two centuries later, Rugby Football has evolved into one of the world’s most popular sports, with millions of people playing, watching and enjoying the Game. The World Cup trophy is named after Webb-Ellis.
• Rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes. Uniquely, each position requires a different set of physical and technical attributes and it is this diversity which makes the game so accessible to all. From the power of the forwards to the speed of the backs, there’s a place in a Rugby team for anyone who wants a slice of the action.
• The world’s top rugby nations ranked by the International Rugby Board are: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Ireland.
Singapore tackles the A5N
The Asian 5 Nations (A5N) tournament takes place this year from April to May across a five-week, single round-robin home-and-away format with the highlight being the Top 5 competition featuring defending champion Japan, runners-up Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, and Singapore. Singapore was the promoted to the Top 5 after emerging as Division 1 champions in 2008.
A5N 2009 features an expanded competition structure with the elite Top 5 competition supported by three divisional tournaments and three regional tournaments and matches will be played across Asia, from the Arabian Gulf to Uzbekistan and Singapore.
Feeding the Top 5 are two four-team divisional tournaments, Division I and II, each of which features a promotion and relegation structure that is unique in IRB (International Rugby Board) competitions. Division I comprises the Arabian Gulf, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka and 2008 Division II champions Thailand playing in Dubai. The Division II competition features China, Malaysia, India and Pakistan playing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Selected matches will be branded as Rugby World Cup qualifiers. This year’s Division I competition will be the official Rugby World Cup 2011 Qualifier as only the Top 5 teams in 2010 will be eligible for Asia’s single direct spot at the next world championship. With the relegation rule in effect, the Top 5 matches will also serve as Rugby World Cup qualifiers as the relegated team will miss out the potential chance to play in New Zealand in 2011.
SINGAPORE RUGBY- PLAYING WITH PRIDE
SINGAPORE RUGBY LIONS vs JAPAN
Singapore Rugby Lions finished their Top 5 run in the HSBC Asian Five Nations on a high by holding defending champions Japan to a 45 points to 15points victory on Saturday’s match played at the Yio Chu Kang Stadium . Singapore scored more points against Japan than any other team in this year’s tournament and conceded the least against the HSBC A5N winners.
“This was by far our best performance in the HSBC Asian Five Nations. We really picked it up after last week in Hong Kong and showed some real determination. Our guys really fronted up and had a go and I am proud of them. Today was all about character for us and restoring the pride in wearing the Singapore jersey and I think we achieved both of those goals.” said Singapore coach Danny Tauroa. |
