KUALA LUMPUR: The national men’s rugby team are confident returning home with the seven-a-side (7s) gold medal at the SEA Games Thailand 2025, although the tournament format has been changed following Indonesia’s withdrawal.
National men’s rugby 7s head coach Nik Safuan Ismade Nik Man said a round-robin format has replaced the original group-based format, meaning they will have to win more matches to reach the final.
“Previously, under the group format, we would have needed to win at least one game to qualify for the semi-finals.
“Now, under the round-robin format, we will need to win at least two matches on the first day and one more on the second day,” he said.
On Monday, Malaysia Rugby (MR) president Amir Amri Mohamad set the national rugby 7s team the target of regaining the gold medal, which they last won in the 2017 edition on home ground.
Nik Safuan Ismade, however, admitted that it won’t be easy to do so.
“Singapore have been preparing for the past two years. Thailand are another of our major rivals, while the Philippines are expected to rope in 11 heritage players from New Zealand,” he said. – BERNAMA
