Due to some teams’ unexpected scheduling issues, lack of players and the Thai Rugby Union rescheduling their elite 15s tournament to avoid clashing with the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the end of the year, some teams recently cancelled their participation for this year’s event at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG) in Thalang.
Organisers stated this is unfortunate but understandable and, after much pondering, it has been decided that to maintain the atmosphere of the event the tournament will instead be condensed into two days this year, as opposed to three.
Following discussions with the veterans teams, who will be arriving early as usual, it has been decided to hold the vets tournament as scheduled on Friday, June 6, with the vets’ finals being played on the afternoon of the following day, Saturday, June 7, prior to the men’s and women’s open finals.
With only eight men’s and four women’s teams now competing, the Open tournament will be played out on the Saturday, with each team guaranteed a minimum of five games, including finals.
All games will be 12 minutes duration, except for the coffin dodgers over 35s and the men’s and women’s open finals, which will each be two x 11 minutes, with a two minute break.
The organisers stated they have no doubt it will still be a highly competitive and fun weekend, starting off on the Thursday night with the vets registration party at the Aussie Bar Phuket on Bangla Road, Patong, which is also open to all teams and supporters and everyone is welcome.
The organisers also apologise for any inconvenience and any logistical headaches that this change may cause andy individual or team involved with the event. A revised schedule detailing all the changes will be released shortly, organisers confirmed.
For more information please visit the Phuket International Rugby 11s Facebook page.