TIGERS UNITED

The opening chapter of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2026, powered by Emirates, delivered everything fans could ask for, speed, drama, comebacks and unforgettable finishes. With 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams battling across two action-packed days in Suzhou, China, the continent’s finest sevens players produced a spectacular start to the championship. In the women’s competition, defending champions Japan showed why they remain the team to beat. China stunned Japan by scoring first in the Cup Final, but the champions responded with composure and quality. Yume Hirano levelled the score before Mei Ohtani , Seika Ohashi and Wakana Akita completed a 24-7 victory. Japan collected 20 points to lead the standings, with China second on 18 and Thailand third on 16. Thailand produced one of the weekend’s biggest comebacks, recovering from 12-0 down against Hong Kong to force golden-point extra time before winning 17-12. The men’s competition was equally explosive. Defending champions Hong...

Hang Tuah Stadium erupted with rugby drama as Beringin Rendang RC stormed to victory in the Melaka Chief Minister Cup 2026, ending two days of bruising battles with the biggest prize of all. Organised by Melaka Rugby on 29 and 30 August, the tournament brought together 14 of Malaysia’s top Men’s teams and eight Veterans sides, turning the iconic Melaka venue into a battlefield of power, pride and experience. Beringin Rendang saved their best for the biggest moment, edging Drillers Oldboys 12–5 in a tense Men’s Open final to lift the coveted Cup. SMS Oldboys secured third place after beating Highlanders 10–5. Defending champions SSTMI Tsunami were denied another Cup triumph but finished on a high, destroying PMM Hornets 54–7 to claim the Plate. In the Veterans division, JLJ Otai showed why experience matters, producing a commanding 26–0 victory over Black Water Oldboys in the final. K.R.A.S took third with a 12–5 win against X-Moruc . But the rugby battles were only part of t...

Nobody saw it coming. The UPSI Eagles stunned Malaysia’s rugby fraternity by capturing the men’s Rugby 7s gold medal at the Sukan Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia (SUKIPT), producing one of the most remarkable upsets in the tournament’s history. Representing Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) from Tanjung Malim, the Eagles entered the competition without the spotlight enjoyed by the traditional university rugby powerhouses. But they left as champions. Their historic triumph became even more dramatic in the final against Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). UPSI found themselves staring at a 0–12 deficit, seemingly destined for defeat. Instead, the Eagles refused to surrender. A disciplined and determined second-half performance sparked a stunning comeback as UPSI turned the match around to defeat UKM 17–12, securing a gold medal that few had predicted. For years, SUKIPT Rugby 7s has been dominated by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), but this edition delivered a new s...

The wait is almost over. Asia’s best rugby sevens teams are ready to battle for supremacy when the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series , kicks off in Suzhou, China. And this year, the stakes are higher than ever. Twelve men’s teams and 12 women’s teams will go head-to-head in a tournament packed with speed, power, skill and drama. Every try matters. Every tackle counts. Every point could make the difference when the championship reaches its final round. Round One takes place in Suzhou on 29–30 August, before the action moves to Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the decisive second round on 17–18 October. There will also be fresh faces and new ambitions. India and Kazakhstan have earned promotion into the men’s Series, while Iran and Uzbekistan make their women’s Series debut after impressive performances at the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy in Muscat. The established powerhouses, however, will be ready. Hong Kong enter as the defending men’s champions after winning the 2025 Series, with Japan fi...

Some rugby clubs are built for a season. Others are built for generations. For Rhinoz Warriors , the journey has been 23 years in the making. It all began when STJ Oldboys Warriors entered the Selangor Rugby League , laying the foundation for a club driven by passion, commitment and an unwavering love for the game. In 2016, the club entered a new era by merging with Rhinoz King Selayang Rugby Club , forming Rhinoz Warriors. In a sporting landscape where many clubs fade away, Rhinoz Warriors have continued to grow stronger. Their longevity is a testament to the dedication of countless players, coaches, volunteers and supporters who refused to let the dream die. The past two seasons have marked the club's rise. In 2024, Rhinoz Warriors celebrated their first major silverware by winning the Selangor Rugby Plate while finishing runners-up in Selangor Rugby Division 2. Instead of settling for second best, they came back even stronger in 2025, capturing the Selangor Rugby Division 2 ch...

The Philippines cemented their status as Southeast Asia 's rugby powerhouse after successfully defending the Union Cup with a commanding 39-18 victory over Malaysia in a thrilling final at Nonthaburi Provincial Stadium, Thailand. The triumph secured the Volcanoes ' second consecutive Union Cup title and extended their dominance in the region's premier 15s competition. However, the final was anything but straightforward. Malaysia , fielding a youthful squad packed with new faces, stunned the defending champions with an inspired first-half display. Playing with speed, determination and fearless ambition, the Bunga Raya matched the experienced Filipinos blow for blow as the teams headed into halftime locked at 15-15. The turning point came during the break. The Philippines team management made crucial tactical adjustments, while the players' experience began to shine. The defending champions returned with greater composure, dominated possession and territory, and took co...

The fourth edition of the National Touch Championship (NTC) and the inaugural Junior National Touch Championship (JNTC) concluded in spectacular fashion at UKM Bangi, marking another historic chapter for Malaysian Touch. Organised by the Malaysia Touch Association , the combined championship brought together the nation's finest senior and junior athletes in the biggest Touch event ever staged in Malaysia. A total of 54 teams representing nine states. Selangor , Kuala Lumpur , Putrajaya , Pahang , Perak , Negeri Sembilan , Melaka , Penang , and Johor competed in an action-packed weekend filled with breathtaking speed, remarkable skill, tactical brilliance, and outstanding sportsmanship. Selangor once again proved their dominance by successfully defending the overall National Touch Championship title for the third time, collecting three gold and three silver medals. Kuala Lumpur finished as overall runners-up with an impressive haul of three gold, two silver, and one bronze med...

South Africa successfully defended their World Rugby Junior Championship title after overcoming France 16-5 in a fiercely contested final at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Saturday. The victory saw the Junior Springboks become only the fourth nation to win back-to-back Junior World Championship titles, joining New Zealand , England and France in the prestigious list. It was a triumph built on resilience and physical dominance as South Africa extended their winning streak in the competition to 11 matches. Despite having three tries ruled out, the defending champions never lost their composure. Fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed proved the difference with an outstanding kicking display, contributing 11 crucial points, while Markus Muller crossed for South Africa's only try. France's lone try came through flanker Raphael Audebert early in the second half, but it was not enough to deny the determined Springboks. Captain Siphosethu Mnebelele , a member of last year...

PHOTO: TOUCH ASSOCIATION SELANGOR Malaysia 's finest Touch players are set to converge at UKM Bangi on 18 and 19 July 2026 as the Malaysia Touch Association hosts the fourth edition of the National Touch Championship (NTC) alongside the inaugural Junior National Touch Championship (JNTC). A total of 54 teams from nine states, Selangor , Kuala Lumpur , Putrajaya , Pahang , Perak , Negeri Sembilan , Melaka , Penang , and Johor will battle across 108 thrilling matches over two action-packed days in what promises to be the country's biggest Touch event yet. Touch is one of the world's fastest-growing non-contact sports, combining the excitement of rugby with lightning speed, agility, precision passing, and exceptional teamwork without the heavy tackles. Every match delivers relentless end-to-end action, tactical brilliance, and split-second decision-making, creating an entertaining spectacle for players and spectators alike. PHOTO:  TOUCH ASSOCIATION SELANGOR Putrajaya e...

Malaysia Rugby has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening player welfare and safety following the recent tragic deaths of four individuals associated with the sport. In a media statement, the governing body expressed its deepest condolences to the families, friends, teammates, schools, clubs, and the wider rugby community affected by the losses, describing the incidents as a heartbreaking moment for Malaysian rugby. Following a preliminary review, Malaysia Rugby said the four incidents appear to be independent of one another, with no evidence suggesting a single common cause. Nevertheless, every case will undergo a comprehensive review to identify opportunities to further improve player welfare and safety across all levels of the game. The union emphasised that all Malaysia Rugby-sanctioned competitions already comply with strict medical standards. These include mandatory medical personnel, emergency action plans, hydration and heat mitigation measures, as well as concussion recog...

The wait is finally over. After years of heartbreak, Johor are champions once again. The Southern Tigers produced an unforgettable fightback to defeat Terengganu 34-26 and capture the 2026 Piala Agong title before about 4,500 passionate rugby fans at Stadium UiTM, Shah Alam. The thrilling showdown was a fitting finale to the 42nd edition of Malaysia 's most prestigious rugby championship. Everything seemed to belong to Terengganu in the opening minutes. The unbeaten side stormed into a stunning 19-0 lead, leaving Johor facing their biggest challenge of the season. But champions are defined by character, not circumstances. Johor refused to surrender. Driven by belief and determination, they clawed their way back with three unanswered tries to trail just 19-17 at halftime. The momentum had shifted, and so had the destiny of the match. After the break, Johor completed one of the greatest comebacks in Piala Agong history, sealing a remarkable 34-26 victory to claim their third ...

For more than four decades, the Piala Agong has represented the pinnacle of Malaysian rugby. Since 1983, the nation's most prestigious championship has produced unforgettable champions, dramatic moments, and fierce rivalries. Now, in its 42nd edition, the competition is ready for a grand finale worthy of its proud history. After months of intense battles involving nine outstanding teams, only two remain unbeaten. Johor versus Terengganu . It is a dream final between two of the country's strongest teams, both arriving with momentum, confidence, and a burning desire to lift the trophy. Neither side had an easy path to the final. Johor edged Kelantan 32-29 in a thrilling semifinal, securing victory with a dramatic last-play penalty. Terengganu's journey was equally dramatic as they stunned defending champions PDRM 22-20, with Nasharuddin Ismail scoring a last-minute try that sent the unbeaten side into celebration. Now, only one challenge remains. Terengganu enter the fin...

Kuala Lumpur may have finished fourth in Pool A, but their Piala Agong 2026 journey is about far more than results and standings. From the opening round, KL showed they belonged among Malaysia 's best. They pushed tournament favourites Terengganu to the limit before narrowly falling short and remained highly competitive throughout the competition. While luck may not always have been on their side, their performances earned respect across the tournament. What makes this team special is its foundation. More than 80 percent of the squad consists of players developed through the Kuala Lumpur Rugby League . These are local talents who have worked their way up through the KL rugby system, proving that dedication and hard work can compete with the best. Much of the credit goes to team manager Shahrin Shamsuddin , who has helped build a strong and united squad. Head coach Dr Ahmad Fadzlee has also played a key role, sharing his knowledge and experience to help the team continue growin...

Hong Kong China  once again stamped their authority on Asian rugby, securing a remarkable seventh consecutive Asia Rugby Emirates Championship title with a commanding 45–9 win over Korea  in Game 2 of the 2026 campaign. After surviving a dramatic 15–14 escape against Sri Lanka in Colombo last week, Hong Kong returned home to the Hong Kong Football Club with a clear mission, finish the job in style. They did exactly that, producing a composed, clinical, and ruthless performance to seal the championship with one match still to play. The first half was competitive, with Korea refusing to back down. Hong Kong led 12–9 at the break, with tries from Sunia Fameitau and Charles Higson-Smith , supported by a conversion from Dylan McCann . Korea stayed in touch through three well-taken penalties, keeping the contest alive. However, the second half belonged entirely to the champions. Hong Kong exploded into life with wave after wave of attacking pressure. Tries from Brendon Nell , Jac...