Teams will be flying into Phuket from across the region to join local sides and take part in the hugely popular event across the weekend of June 7-9 which has a truly worthy cause at heart - raising funds for the Asia Center Foundation scholarship fund for underprivileged children.
The Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers vets kick off the tournament on Friday, June 7, while Bank Muamalat Bullets and Dingo’s Rugby, last year’s winners in both the men’s and women’s open divisions respectively, will be back to defend their titles.
With teams from Australia, the Middle East, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand competing it promises to be an action packed weekend at one of Asia’s premier social rugby events. With 16 teams in the Open tournament, 12 teams in the vets tournament and eight teams in the over 45s, along with an expanded Ladies rugby competition, rivalry will be fierce on & off the pitch.
The Men’s Open Tournament will see 16 teams competing in four groups of four teams with a round robin stage of three games per team on the Saturday and a minimum of two games per team during the knockout stages Sunday’s final day of competition.
The Ladies Open will see eight teams competing in two groups of four teams with a round robin stage of three games per team on the Saturday and a minimum of two games during Sunday’s knockout stages.
Teams confirmed so far for the Men’s Open include: Groote Eylandt Mudchooks and Swamp Dogs Rugby, both from Australia; Ningbo Rhinos from China; USRC Tigers and SCAA Causeway Baywatch RFC, both from Hong Kong; South Klang Dragon Rugby Club (SKDRC), Bank Muamalat Bullets and Sembilang Drua Rugby, all from Malaysia; The Hyde Street Gulls from New Zealand; Pronto Rugby from the UK; Raw Dogs from the United States; dual UK/USA team Renegade Rugby; and the Bangkok Bangers, Bangkok Southerners, Chiang Mai Cobras and local favourites the Phuket Vagabonds representing Thailand.
Teams confirmed so far for the Ladies Open include: Kafrine Lakour from Reunion; Sandy Phoonanis from Hong Kong; KL Tigers and Dingoes RC, both from Malaysia; and Thailand’s Bangers Belles.
Teams confirmed so far for the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers Over 35s include: HFTT from Australia; the Asian Japanese Dragons represnting the broader Asian region; the HK Bulls from Hong Kong; the BROB Parametric Peregrine from Malaysia; the Chiang Mai Cobras and Phuket Viagrabonds from Thailand; Barrelhouse Rugby Club from the UAE; and Pronto Rugby from the UK.
Teams confirmed so far for the Whitesmiths Group One Foot in the Grave Over 45s include: the Asian Japanese Dragons represnting broader Asia; the Grafton Big River Bullrouts, Pally Pigs and Moorabbin Rams, all from Australia; the HKFC Contemptables from Hong Kong; the KL Tigers from Malaysia; the San Miguel Wanderers Wrinklies from Singapore; and the Taipei Silverbacks from Taiwan.
The groupings and draw will be posted on www.macoocoo.com once all entries are in and will be updated game by game as the weekend progresses.
The highest standards of health, safety and support will be in place with full, ongoing access to drinking water, ice and electrolyte powders to help rehydrate and combat the heat across the weekend, while massage tents will help soothe weary limbs.
Medical facilities will be run by the Bangkok Siriroj Hospital. Basic attention at the ground is covered but more serious injuries that need hospital attention will need to be paid for so insurance coverage is strongly urged for all participants.
In addition to the onfield action, this year’s event sees the return of the popular Tour Virgin Beauty Pageant, which will be held on the Saturday evening at the Amora’s NORA Beach Club at Bang Tao Beach with a buffet and live musical entertainment for all teams to enjoy.
For more details on all of the above and anything related to the tournament please visit the Phuket International Rugby 10s Facebook page.