THE state Sukma squad are now in Terengganu for the 12th edition of the Games from May 31 to June 9.

The players left Kuching for centralised training in UPM KL two weeks ago under the aegis of Mohd Ismawi Haji Noor (Mawi).

They will start their campaign on June 6 when the rugby tournament starts. The competition ends on the last day of the Games with the knockout stage.

We are drawn in pool A together with Selangor and Pahang. Kedah, Johor, Kelantan and Sabah are in pool B; Negri Sembilan, Perak, Federal Territory and Penang in pool C and Perlis, Malacca, Brunei and Terengganu in pool D. Three medals are at stake and the version played is 7’s.

The state squad have been together for the past two years or so playing in several tournaments both locally and in the peninsula to gain much needed experience and exposure in preparing for Sukma.

In the build-up tournaments, especially in the peninsula, the squad had made the quarter-finals of the main event and the semi-finals of the plate event. The players have gained invaluable exposure and experience from these encounters.

Team manager Abang Azman Abang Annuar (Azman) and coaches Mawi and Zulkaranainhisham (Zul) were also able to identify the squad’s weaknesses and work on them to improve the players’ technical and tactical play individually and as a unit.

This time around, the squad are not getting any financial assistance from the State Sports Council as rugby has been down- graded to category C which means whatever expenses incurred in preparation of the squad will only be reimbursed if they come home with a medal.

Azman has done a lot to look for sponsors to finance the squad’s trips to the peninsula over the last two years to gain experience and exposure. The local rugby fraternity owes him a big debt of thanks.

After training and playing together for almost two years, the squad are ready for the challenge to bring back a medal from Terengganu, preferably gold, to prove that the game is strong, and knock the nay sayers who doubt us.

And the manager and coaches are also quietly confident the squad can go far in the tournament.

To make the quarter-finals,       they have to win both their matches but if they finish third in their pool, they will be in the bowl quarters.

Sarawak starts their campaign against Selangor at 3pm on June 6 with the second match against Pahang on June 7 at 2pm.

All the matches will be played at the rugby field of the Terengganu sports complex at Gong Badak.

To squad, I’m sure everyone here will join me in wishing them all the best. Go knock them out, people!

And to the team manager, Azman, the coaches, Mawi and Zul, physio Zamzy Abdul Rahman and the others like Patrick and Mohd Riduan (Banjo) who have helped in one way or another to prepare the squad, a big thank you from SRU president, Haji Bujang Safawi, and his exco for an excellent job. I will keep you updated on the squad’s progress in my column next week.

The squad comprise Mohd Safuan Salehuddin Abdullah, Mohd Zulfieqca Sapini, Wan Aminuddin Wan Mahmud, Mohd Izuan Jais (Trojan), Saiful Manar Hamid, Najib Bakri, Muhammad Fairuz Anuwar (Belalang), Mohd Nur Azizie Selai (GG), Mohd Ihtisyamuddin Sanusi (Senyum), Ismail Amran, Muhammad Farid Abdul Rahaman (Kudin), Muhammad Hanafi Sanusi (Peyek), Izzman Mohd Idrus (Man) and Ahmad Syahmin Azam.

After 15 rounds over the past 15 weeks, the 2008 SANZAR Super 14 draws to a close this weekend with the final in Christchurch between the Crusaders and the Waratahs who finished first and second after the round robin.

In the semi-finals last week, the Crusaders defeated the Hurricanes 33-22 in Christchurch, and Waratahs won 28-13 against the Sharks in Sydney.

For the Crusaders who have been six times champions, the final will see them attempt to win the crown for a 7th time.

An interesting tidbit is Robbie Deans, the Crusaders coach, will leave to handle the Waratahs after the final, taking over from Ewen Mackenzie.

In the HSBC Asian 5 Nations final round last week, Hong Kong went down 24-50 to Korea while Kazakhstan won 56-27 against the Arabian Gulf. Japan are the champions followed by Hong Kong, Korea, Kazakhstan, and Arabian Gulf.

In the penultimate round of the iRB 2007-8 World 7’s series in London last week, Samoa lifted the Cup by defeating their Pacific island neighbour Fiji 19-17 while the plate went to New Zealand who defeated South Africa 19-12.

Australia took the Bowl, beating Wales 19-12 while Spain lifted the Shield with a 10-7 win over Kenya.

Although they did not feature in the Cup final after going down to England in a shock 12-17 result in the quarters, New Zealand were crowned the series champions.

The final leg will be in Edinburgh, Scotland this weekend — pool A: New Zealand, England, Russia, and Portugal; pool B: South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Scotland; pool C: Samoa, Wales, Canada and Spain, and pool D: Fiji, Kenya, France and Moldova.

In the final of the European Cup last Saturday, Munster triumphed by defeating Toulouse 16-13 at the Millennium stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Both sides were evenly matched with Munster prevailing after a penalty in the dying minutes of the game.

Munster scored three penalties to Toulouse’s two.

In the Guinness Premiership semi-finals, London Wasps defeated Bath 21-10 while Leicester Tigers edged Gloucester 26-25 to set up a final today at Twickenham.

Both matches were shown on Astro, so let’s hope the final will also be carried.

If it is live, it should come at midnight tonight.

Club president Dick B, the exco and the members extend their heartiest congratulations to Abang Mohd Idris Abang Haji Mohd Othman and Norahimah Abdula Rahim who will be tying the knot this weekend.

There will be a game today for everybody who turns up at the field with kick-off scheduled for 4.30pm.

All are welcome to play — members or non-members, experienced, novice, locals or expatriates.

All that is needed are a pair of boots, stockings and sturdy shorts as Club will be providing the jumpers. The turn-out last week was quite good.

For those new to our lovely city, the field is located behind the Everrise supermarket along Padungan Road. See you all at the field.

To everyone — friends, acquaintances, and readers — who is celebrating Gawai tomorrow, I wish you all a very happy Gawai.