Why he loves rugby

He towers at over 1.8m tall, and tips the scales at 98kg. He captains a squad of 28 ruggers, and is one of the team’s key players. Meet Amirul Asyraf Bin Azhar. No, he doesn’t play for the HITO-Communications Sunwolves, Singapore’s adopted home team for the Super Rugby tournament. Nor is he from an elite rugby school. Still, this 16-year-old Boon Lay Secondary School student proves that the sport is no longer the sole domain of those groups. He tells TODAY why you should make contact with this gentlemen’s game.

Tell us more about yourself.
I have a brother and two sisters, and I’m the oldest child at home. I enjoy mathematics and science in school, and will be doing my O-Levels at the end of the year. I love playing sports — football, basketball and especially rugby.

How did you get started on rugby?
During CCA (co-curricular activity) try-outs when I was in Sec 1, I got to try a rugby drill. I grabbed the ball, ran and hit the crash pad. Doing that was fun, and I instantly fell in love with rugby. It was more unique than the other sports I’ve tried because of the contact involved.

What is it about rugby that you love?
That it’s a team sport. To execute the moves, my team mates and I communicate with one another all the time on the pitch. Rugby also helped me build perseverance and discipline.

Share your proudest moment on the pitch.
Before the B Division Rugby Championships (Bowl Competition) season started last month, we played a friendly against Greenridge Secondary in January. We lost by two tries. To make up for the loss, we trained really hard. And when we played Greenridge again earlier this month, I gave my 110 per cent because this was my last season representing my school. I kept driving the ball to my team mates for them to score, and we won 27-0. I was really proud of my team.

GET YOUR SUPER RUGBY TICKETS NOW!
The pulsating action on the pitch continues at one of the world’s greatest rugby championships.

Don’t miss this match: HITO-Communications Sunwolves vs Stormers
Date: March 25
Doors Open: 4pm
Match time: 6:55pm
Venue: National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub
Call 3158 7888 or book online at www.sportshubtix.sg

Produced by the TODAY Special Projects Team