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Malaysia increase cap on foreign players

Malaysia is set to see an increased influx of foreign players who are mainly Fijians.

Previously, teams were only allowed to register three imports at most. 

With the national 15s season set to kick off with the National Inter Club Championships (NICC) next week, MRU will now allow clubs to field up to seven foreign players on the pitch at any one time for teams competing in the NICC and the top-tier Super League which starts next month.

"This is the largest ever number of foreign players we have allowed teams to use in local competition," said Malaysia Rugby Union secretary general Suhaimi Zainuddin .

This article by Fadhli Ishak appeared in the News Strait Times.

Suhaimi said the move is a two-pronged strategy to lift the standard of the game in the country

"We feel that it would be beneficial for us to get them (expatriate players) involved as it will help us increase the quality of the talent pool for national selection. By allowing more foreigners in the competition, it will also expose our players to competing against opponents who are physically bigger. This is a good step as it is not often our boys get to compete against foreign opposition in international competitions."

Foreign players are split into two categories -- professional imports, who are generally made up of Fijian players, and expatriates working or studying in the country.

MRU has allowed clubs to register four professional imports but can only utilise three on the pitch at a time. Clubs can register four expatriate players and may simultaneously utilise all four at the same time.

Teams, however, are required to register a minimum of eight local players in their squad to ensure local player development is taken seriously.

International Rugby Board (IRB) rules require foreign players to have at least lived in a country for a minimum of three years before they can be naturalised to represent that country. A national team are allowed to field naturalised players in IRB or Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) tournaments, but are not allowed in multi-sport games such as the Asian, Commonwealth and Sea Games.

Josh resigns for Worcester

Worcester announce Fijian wing Josh Drauniniu has signed a new contract.

The 27-year-old has scored 12 tries in 18 games for the Warriors, including a hat-trick in last weekend's Amlin Challenge Cup victory over Italian side Rovigo.

Head coach Richard Hill says: "Josh came to Warriors as a very raw player with a huge amount of ability and natural talent, particularly in attack,"

Matawalu sparks Glasgow thrashing of Treviso

Cult hero Niko Matawalu came off the bench to help Glasgow beat Italian club Treviso 41 - 7 to boost their Pro12 play off hopes..

Fijian flanker Manoa Vosawai's red card didn't help Treviso's cause as they struggled with one man down in the second half.

Bristol save Tagicakibau

This article from Thisisbristol.co.uk

BRISTOL will not risk Mike Tagicakibau against Cardiff on Sunday, in order to give him the best possible chance of facing Leeds five days later.
Bristol face a double-header in the next nine days that will help shape their season in both the British & Irish Cup and the Championship.

They need one point against Cardiff on Sunday to secure their place in the last eight of the British & Irish Cup, while a victory would guarantee a home tie in the last eight.
They then meet Leeds, five points and two places above them in the Championship, next Friday.

Tagicakibau, the Fiji back who can operate at wing or centre, suffered a recurrence of a leg injury in Friday's 14-8 win over Ulster Ravens and will not be considered to face Cardiff this weekend. He initially missed four weeks of action after suffering a slight tear at the back of the his knee, near the bottom of his hamstring, and has aggravated the problem.

Bristol academy coach Matt Sherratt, however, does not believe the injury is as severe as it was the first time round. "It was an aggravation of the injury he was out with before, but as far as time-scale goes, it's not as serious as the one before," said Sherratt.

"We'll wait until it settles down before we make a call on that but he won't play this weekend. That will then give him the best chance of playing in the next game."

Seta helps Taranaki win NZ Sevens tourney

Former Lelean Memorial School student Seta Tamanivalu played an impressive game on the weekend helping his Taranaki team at the NZ sevens in Queenstown. His massive fend in the final against Harbour was causing a stir on rugby forums this morning. (Video above). 'Did the phone ring? What happened' the commentator said.

Seta is 20 years old and plays for Spotswood United in Taranaki and is possibly looking at being selected for the NZ development team for the Uprising Sevens in Fiji.

Burotu scores for Biarritz

Biarritz recorded a comfortable bonus-point 32-6 win over Zebre. Fijian Seremaia Burotu scored Biarritz's other tries (Argentinian Marcelo Bosch scored two tries) Dimitri Yachvili converting three of them and also kicking two penalties.

Votu ready for Exeter

Courtesy of planet rugby

Exeter fans are likely to get their first glimpse of Fijian flyer Watisoni Votu in competitive action when they face Bath in the LV= Cup later this month.

After months of protracted paperwork to finally bring the talented 27-year-old to Sandy Park, head coach Rob Baxter admits it is somewhat of a relief to have finally got his man ready to play rugby.
"It seems everything is finally good to go," he said.

"It has taken a while to get everything sorted, but now we're looking to getting him up and running probably in the upcoming LV games and see where he goes from there."

Votu has been training with the Chiefs for several weeks following his involvement with the Fijian national squad, but he has been unable to be fully registered for the Aviva Premiership club until his international clearance had been received.

That has now been completed and Baxter is clearly keen to get the Lautoka-born back up and running.

"In some ways the delay will probably have done him some good as he has been able to spend more time training with us," said the Exeter coach.

"He's now a bit more settled in; we've got his base fitness to where we want it to be; and he's been in a nice relaxed environment and got to know a few of the guys and more about the club.
"Am I relieved he's finally here? Of course I am, just because we've wanted to have a good look at the guy for some time.

"In some ways it's been more of a shame for him rather than the club itself, simply because we've had fit players available and we've not been desperate to get a winger out on the pitch. Had we have got him here earlier in the season, then maybe he would have played some A League and LV= Cup games, even potentially had the odd Premiership game.

"Sadly that's not been the case for him, but these next few weeks should offer him a great opportunity to play some rugby and develop as a player."