Brunei in best possible shape for Asia Rugby Championship Division III East

Brunei are set to play their first international in three years as the Asia Rugby Championship Division III East begins on Tuesday.

Belapan Stadium will host all three matches in the tournament, starting with hosts Brunei taking on Guam.

Alongside these two sides, China will also play both sides in the battle for the 2018 Division III East title.

“We started (preparation) about three months ago,” said Kamalie. “I have to say that from where we started to where we are now is a vast improvement.

“There is a good spirit and good enthusiasm. I am pleased with how they have progressed and grown as a team.”

Guam are ranked 72nd in the World Rugby rankings with China 15 places lower in 87 but hosts Brunei will be aiming to put on a good display for the home crowd and continue the good work being done in the country at grassroots level.

Head coach Mogamat Shafeek Kamalie says his side are prepared for the upcoming test.

“For us to win the tournament would be a massive achievement,” added Kamalie. “We will play to win and we have prepared and trained to win but I can’t put it into words what it would mean to win. But we are playing tough opponents.

“I have been involved in Brunei since 2004 and we have had our highs and lows. Rugby is an evolving sport.

“There is a lot of interest and overall the good thing I can say is that we need to use the fluidity and momentum for it to continue to grow.

“There is a lot of interest in schools and of the four universities in the country two have teams. There is growth but the challenge is to keep that going.

Brunei’s forwards coach Marvin Robert Trevor also spoke about the improvement he has seen from his side ahead of the Championship, and about the sport of rugby itself.

“The lads have worked really hard over the last three and a half months,” said Trevor.

“They have come together as a team and their skill has increased dramatically. We couldn’t be in a better position and Brunei are going to have a really good competition.

“For me rugby has brought me on as a person. Working together as a team it brings things out of you that you wouldn’t get in a single sport. Rugby is a massive family sport, it makes you think being part of a team and I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t play this sport.”