KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) believe that their new American coach Samuel Rupert Firth Jackson is capable of providing the golden touch to end the team’s 32-year wait to lift the rugby King’s Cup.
PDRM scrum-half Mohammad Fazrin Noor Zaid said the 30-year-old coach had taken a bold move in changing their playing style as soon as he joined the team last month.
Mohammad Fazrin, 30, said apart from harnessing the strengths of each player, the coach also adopted various tactical approaches to make it difficult for opponents to read their game.
“It’s difficult to explain but I have to say the new coach has had a positive impact on the players in terms of training method and team management.
“Maybe it’s because Samuel Rupert had the experience of playing in the United States league. I admit it was difficult to adjust in the initial stages because of the way he communicates in English,” he told Bernama recently.
Mohammad Fazrin, who joined PDRM in 2014, hoped their training and planning would bear fruit in their opening match of the King’s Cup 2023 against Pahang on Saturday.
National rugby star K. Dinesvaran, who is making a return to strengthen PDRM after 15 years, also shared Mohammad Fazrin’s sentiment, saying PDRM were ready to show their bite.
The 35-year-old player, better known as ‘Duke’, had represented Hino Red Dolphins in Japan’s top league and has been playing for Chicago Hounds in the United States league since early this year.
The Kedah-born Duke, who plays in lock position, said the ‘champion mentality’ inculcated by Samuel Rupert would get the best out of every player as they treat every match like a final.
Meanwhile, Samuel Rupert, who guided the national team in the Asian Rugby Championship in Incheon, South Korea, last year, said the squad has what it takes to regain the cup.
“The main thing for us is to make sure everyone plays their roles and fits into team dynamics so that we can perform on the field,” he said.
PDRM have been drawn in Group B together with the Malaysian Armed Forces and Pahang.
PDRM, who finished third in last year’s tournament, last won the King’s Cup in 1991. – BERNAMA
