The PROJECX Waterboys are back for 2018/19!
The Scottish-based invitational team has a great history in recent years of giving up-and-coming young talent from the Tennent’s Premiership and beyond the chance to shine in some top quality sevens and 10s events around the globe.
This season will be no different and a run of exciting tours starts in Malaysia this weekend.
The strong looking squad, led by Boroughmuir’s Johnny Matthews, have been training hard in recent days in the heat to prepare for the challenge of taking on a very strong field at the 48th Cobra 10s in Kuala Lumpur.
The field includes top teams from Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia with the boys from Scotland being the sole Northern Hemisphere team invited to compete in the tournament.
Daveta from Fiji are top seeds after their win at the Singapore 7s last weekend and the Waterboys are seeded third in their pool behind NNK (South Africa) and Global Lions (New Zealand).
Skipper Matthews, who last week led his club side to an impressive league win over the Currie Cheiftains, said: “I am really excited for this Waterboys tour, it is the first time the team has been to Kuala Lumpur so new ground for all the players and coaching team.
“The squad looks good, which a mix of experience and youth, and a few new Waterboys which is great to see. The standard is high, but we are confident as a group that if we play to our potential, we will do well in this tournament.”
As well as good players, the touring party also has a strong management team led by coaches Bruce Douglas and Bryan Rennie who played for Scotland and Scotland ‘A’ respectively.
Apart from their own training the Waterboys were allowed to provide some local schools rugby coaching clinics in Kuala Lumpur this week – giving something back to the sport of rugby and the community.
No matter where in the world you travel it is always great to see children smile – especially being involved in a sport such as rugby – and the touring party loved the experience.
Once again PROJECX, International Power and Water Investments, JA Resorts & Hotels, Ace Property Management, Sarcogent Solutions, Orion Systems, 4 Navitas and Bureau are supporting the team.
They also have a range of new sponsors including Cold Town Beer (Signature Pubs), Arbikie Distillery, and KW Special Projects with Akuma Sports as the equipment supplier. Waterboys Rugby support the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and gifted the main sponsorship space to the foundation.
Squad:
Robin Snape Edinburgh Accies
Rory Drummond Boroughmuir
Ru Smith Currie Chieftains
Johnny Matthews Boroughmuir (C)
Brendan McGroarty Greenock Wanderers
Neil Armstrong Edinburgh Accies
Ryan Godsmark La Hulpe
Oscar Baird Highland
Colin Sturgeon Palmerston
Lewis Anderson HK Scottish
Luke Papworth HK Scottish
Will Wardlaw Boroughmuir
Nathan Tweedy HK Scottish
Jack Wardle HK Scottish
Management:
Team Boss – Rab Brown
Team Manager – James Robertson
Physio – Lianne Brunton
Coach – Bruce Douglas
Coach – Bryan Rennie
