ALL Blacks legend Rodney So’oialo will kick off a five-day tour programme in Johor in conjunction with the upcoming Johor Rugby Carnival 2019.
“Rugby throughout the world has a set of values no matter where you play,” said Rodney, who made 62 international Test-match appearances for New Zealand and was part of the team that won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2002.
“It’s a similar ethos and culture hence it’s about playing as a team. I think it’s a way of showing the youngsters that working together and being strong and putting your mind to a goal means you can achieve anything,” Rodney added. “That’s the way I think sport in general, and certainly rugby, can have a major influence on children’s lives.”
The 39-year-old will feature in various rugby activities including coaching clinics, team preparations and meet-and-greet sessions around Johor.
“Building great players and winning teams doesn’t happen overnight – it takes commitment, patience, perseverance, tenacity, an iron will, and an in-depth understanding of the factors that lead to success on the playing field,” Rodney explained. “Representing world champions the New Zealand All Blacks at international level was a great privilege and I am now committed to transferring the skills and knowledge I have gained.
“At the events, I want to see the youngsters with smiles on their faces where they can see there’s hope from what they’ve had to go through. I am passionate about helping individuals and teams reach their full potential, whether it’s on the field, in the classroom, or at the office,” he said.
More than 90 teams comprising about 1,000 players from Malaysia will take part in the Johor Rugby Carnival 2019. The carnival which is the biggest to be held in the country, continues to attract new teams in its tenth year and it’s all set to kick off at the Educity Stadium Johor from 24th – 25th August 2019.
This seven-a-side rugby carnival is being organised by the Johor Rugby Union with support from the Johor Educational Department, Johor State Sports Council, Malaysia Rugby Union and Iskandar Puteri City Council.
The competing teams consist of players from the best rugby-playing schools in Malaysia such as Tun Hussein Onn Rugby (Johor) , SMK Sains Hulu Selangor (Selangor), KL Saracens (Selangor) , Maktab Melayu Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) , Sekolah Sri Mersing (Johor) , Terengganu Rugby Academy (Terengganu) , Maktab Tentera DiRaja (KL) , SMK Sains Selangor (KL) and Selangor Rugby Academy (Selangor). Defending champions SMK Sains Hulu Selangor will be hoping to retain their title.
“It’s a remarkable achievement for Johor to host the biggest rugby carnival in Malaysia for the 10th edition,” said Dato’ Hj Mohd Noorazam Dato Hj Osman, president of Johor Rugby Union. “This will showcase the state’s long and proud history of rugby as a conduit for fostering unity as rugby players are known to be from multi-racial backgrounds. We are happy to support a sustainable sports culture in Malaysia.”
The tournament was the brainchild of current Sultan of Johor when his Royal Highness was the Tunku Mahkota of Johor.
