Source : Manila Bulletin Sports

Philippine Rugby Team

MANILA, Philippines — Rugby in the Philippines got a big shot in the arm after the national team recently scored a lopsided 86-20 win over Malaysia, a nation whose rugby tradition dates back two centuries ago, at the Asian 5 Nations (A5N) Division 1 tournament in Ansan, Korea.

The team, known as the Volcanoes, bounced back from a 34-20 loss to eventual champion Korea, which defeated Singapore, 58-19, in the final.

“We knew that Malaysia wasn’t going to be as strong as Korea, but we had a job to do,” Filipino-Australian skipper Michael Letts said. “We didn’t start as well as we wanted to, but we picked ourselves up and finished strongly.”

Supported by leading telecommunications provider Globe Telecom, the Volcanoes are composed of homegrown and Filipino-foreigner players. Apart from Letts, the other prominent members of the squad are his brother Jake, James Price, Oliver and Matt Saunders, and forwards Rafael and Rupert Zappia.