The Brunei U-23 rugby team ... getting ready for the Sukma challenge

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Brunei U-23 rugby team is currently on rigorous training to build a capable squad to vie for glory in the upcoming Sukma in Malacca in June.

Under coach Ben Bourne, the team comprised players from Brunei-Muara District and Kuala Belait District who trained three times a week to face the numerous state teams from Malaysia.

When met at the training ground of the team that has just been together for a few weeks, Bourne said: "I got high expectation of the team that comprised some of the best players in Brunei.

"The teams are coming together nicely, during the trial game, we play against team of mixture of expats and we won two tries to nil," he added. However, he also stressed that no matter how good the team is, the players need to come together as a unit. And I think, we just need more time to train together.

On the selection of players, the coach said: "We received plenty of recommended players from coaches and then we call the players for a trial-out. Players who passed the trial-out and willing to join the squad are selected."

Speaking about the Malaysian opponents, coach Bourne said: "I don't know much about them but I found out from the previous coach that they are fast." In 2005, Brunei also took part in the Sukma rugby event but the team didn't do well.

This time Brunei is hoping to reverse the result. Team captain Dinie Hj Abu Bakar, said: "We have a chance to win this year. What I can see now is that the team is getting stronger, however there is still room for improvement."

"We need to work on more ball handling and teamwork. Since the team just came together the last few weeks, we still need time to adjust to each other." On the Malaysian teams, Dinie who has been playing rugby for five years said:

"They are strong teams and some of them have participated in the ARFU 2008 competition." -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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