Johor Rugby Squad Confident Of Winning 42nd Agong’s Cup Title

JOHOR BAHRU, April 30 (Bernama) -- Johor’s rugby squad are confident of dominating the 42nd Agong’s Cup Rugby Championship and winning the title when the tournament runs from May 9 to June 28.

Johor Rugby Union president Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said the target looks realistic, thanks to the addition of four new import players and several naturalised players.

He said former Samoa Rugby World Cup players Tavaefaga Timothy Nanai, who featured at the 2015 and 2019 tournaments, will strengthen Johor, alongside Kolinio Yabia Tamanitoakula, Adam Brash and Blake Makiri, as well as naturalised players Weyers Ryno and Sae Faalupega.

“We were good enough to win last year, but we lost to PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police). This time, winning the Agong’s Cup looks realistic, and our preparations began late last year when we joined the Singapore Rugby League.

“Our mission is clear: to win this year’s Agong Cup. We are not here just to take part, but to dominate and bring the trophy back to Johor,” he said.

He said this at the launch and press conference for Johor’s team for the 2026 Agong’s Cup here last night, which was also attended by Johor Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah.

Noorazam said preparations began late last year, including playing in the Singapore league as part of the team’s training, adding that the initial squad has been trimmed to the top 40 players.

He also said that head coach Rodney So’oialo, a former All Blacks captain who has been with the team since last year, has helped improve training and sharpen the side’s tactics.

Mohd Noorazam said this year’s competition is expected to be tough, starting with Johor’s match against Putrajaya on May 9, noting that the Putrajaya squad have the edge in team structure, while the other sides also look capable of causing problems, making thorough preparation crucial.

Johor are in Group B with Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), and their last Agong’s Cup title came in 2017.

“Negeri Sembilan are a respected side, and we have to respect all the teams in Group B. In rugby, every team has its own strengths and development programmes.

“But when we play in the Agong’s Cup, I think we need to focus on ourselves first. What happened last year was down to our own mistakes, so this time we’re focusing on what we need to do to reach a higher level,” he added.

-- BERNAMA