Ready to push new rugby frontier

SINGAPORE - Come this weekend, rugby fans can head into the National Stadium expecting surprise results, if the eight World Club 10s teams are to be believed.

The inaugural edition of the tournament is a departure from the established world of 15-player teams - or even the emerging 7s scene - meaning this weekend's participants are cautious about their chances of success.

"We have never played in 10s before so we will need some time to get used to the structure," said Piri Weepu, skipper of New Zealand's Blues side.

"There will be a lot more space on the field and more excitement."

The captain of Australian team Brumbies, Robbie Coleman, echoed the same sentiments.

"We don't know what to expect," he said.

"It is very exciting and we are looking forward to playing. We know it will be a fast-paced game so we will try to work on it."

The tournament will be the first event to be held at the 55,000-seat venue and 13,000 tickets have been distributed so far. Junior and amateur teams will also feature over the two days.

Most of the professional teams had their first training sessions yesterday morning, having arrived on Monday evening.

London Welsh captain James Lewis admitted that it was a "totally different level of heat and humidity" here while Chris Malan Jordaan of Italy's Petrarca Rugby summed up training as being "very sweaty".

For Samoa Water President's 10 team manager Luke Gates, his main worry was unconventional at the very least.

He joked: "We are pretty used to the heat, it is more of trying to stop the boys from eating too much at breakfast.

"There is not much food in Samoa, and coming to Singapore is like Disneyland for them."

Most of the coaches said they were using this tournament as an opportunity to blood young players, with teams bringing youthful squads.

Notable absentees include Cardiff Blues duo Sam Warburton and Alex Cuthbert.

However, both Singapore Rugby Union chief Low Teo Ping and organisers Carinat Sports Marketing have expressed satisfaction at the strength of the line-ups, pointing out the presence of several international players in the various squads.

One team who has extra incentive to perform is the Asia Pacific Dragons, who have been looking at a possibility of setting up base here.

Captain Junior Poluleuligaga said: "It is important to play to our full potential and, hopefully, get everyone's backing."

Singaporean Reiner Leong will be among their number this weekend.

The 28-year-old said: " I am looking forward to learning from these professionals - all of the competitors, not just my team-mates.

"Of course, there is the chance to take the field and represent my country as a Singaporean rugby player.

"It would be awesome if it could go some way to encouraging and inspiring local sportsmen as well."

twtoh@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on June 19, 2014.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.