ASIA NATIONS RUGBY TEST MATCH: Division 2

02.06.2012
Thailand v Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur (WCQ Asia; Asia Nat. Div. 2, Final)

Venue: Stadium Petaling Jaya

Referee:

Preview
Traditional rugby rivals in Asia, the history of Thailand against their Malaysian neighbours goes back to the mid fifties. In 1955 they contested the King’s Cup for the first time. Malaya (as it was called then) thumped their neighbours 47-6 in Bangkok to win the cup. This set up a rivalry that has persisted to this day, although whether the King’s Cup still survives is another question.

Thailand dominated its neighbour after that winning most matches up to 1990. A number of drawn contests followed with Malaysia winning 25-18 in Kuala Lumpur in 1993. Malaysia’s losing trend continued until they won in 1999. They lost again in 2002 but won again in 2006. Thailand has continued to dominate in the two encounters since.

For a full list of all Thailand-Malaysia rugby test matches go to www.rugbyinternational.net

This should prove to be a close encounter. Malaysia comes off a convincing but easy 89-0 win over China. That result may not have prepared them enough for this tough test match. They have the home crowd and ground advantage.

Thailand had a tough win over Iran on Thursday. This may have sapped some energy. On the other hand they should be toughened up for this crucial match. The winner gets to play the Division 3 winner (India) in a Rugby World Cup qualifying play off.

Last Five Encounters
14.06.2008 Thailand 30-7 in Bangkok (WCQ Asia R1; Asia Nations Div.2, Final)
10.11.2007 Thailand 44-7 in Colombo (Asiad Cup)
22.07.2006 Malaysia 36-27 in Bangkok (Asia Tournament. Tier 4)
16.06.2001 Thailand 29-13 in Bangkok (Asia Plate)
1999 Malaysia 18-14 in Ipoh Padang (Int. Quad. Tournament; Kings Cup)

Note: I don’t have any record of the Kings Cup being played since 1999. If not Malaysia holds that cup!

Thailand Last Five
31.05.2012 v Iran W 37-17 in Kuala Lumpur (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Div.2)
07.05.2011 v Chinese Taipei L 10-22 in Bangkok (Asia Nations Div.2, Final)
04.05.2011 v India W 37-24 in Bangkok (Asia Nations Div.2, SF)
05.06.2010 v China W 56-3 in New Delhi (Asia Nations Div.2, 3rd-4th)
02.06.2010 v Philippines L 33-53 in New Delhi (Asia Nations Div.2, SF)

Malaysia Last Five
31.05.2012 v China W 89-0 in Kuala Lumpur (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Div.2 SF)
04.06.2011 v Philippines L 20-86 in Ansan (Asia Nations Div.1, 3rd-4th)
01.06.2011 v Singapore L 17-52 in Ansan (Asia Nations Div.1, Semi-final)
17.04.2010 v Chinese Taipei W 35-8 in Singapore (Asia Nations Div.1, 3rd-4th)
14.04.2010 v Singapore L 20-22 in Singapore (Asia Nations Div.1, 3rd-4th)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Malaysia 10th, Thailand 11th

IRB Ranking Points
Malaysia 43.05, Thailand 41.74

Prediction: It could either way. Malaysia by 6 points

Teams

Malaysia Squad
1. Mohd Syahir Asyraf bin Rosli (Team Captain)
2. Mohd Khuzaidi bin Abdullah (Assistant Team Captain)
3. Amadis Chong Yuen Jun
4. Azman bin Osman
5. Badrul bin Musa@Muktee
6. Dineswaran a/l Krishnan
7. Helbarth Jemlit
8. Khairul Nizar bin Shamsudin
9. Kini Rosolosolo
10. Megat Zubaidi bin Buang
11. Mohamad Amin bin Jamaludin
12. Mohamad Nazeer bin Mohamed Nesharah
13. Mohd Farid Syazwan bin Abu Bakar
14. Mohd Hafizh bin Zainal
15. Mohd Zulkifli bin Azmi
16. Mohd Nizard bin Mohd Noor
17. Mohd Razif bin Zainol Abidin
18. Mohd Shafiq Marican bin Ariffin
19. Muhammad Fazrin bin Noor Zaid
20. Nathaneal Tan Aik Ming
21. Ras Suhael Nur Rahim bin Razbi
22. Ras Hurairah bin Razbi
23. Timoci Nacocula
24. Veliameveto Tuinivanua

Thailand Squad not available