Rugby season kicks off at Southern Plains

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Rugby Football Union will kick off the 2017 SPI 15s rugby league on Saturday at Southern Plains in Canlubang with SEAPAC Philippines as title sponsor.

With Rugby 7s’ inclusion in the Olympics last year along with Japan hosting the 2019 15s Rugby World Cup, the SPI 15s League on a local front gives Philippine rugby teams the opportunity to play the traditional code and experience the longer format of the game.

The SPI 15s League will see five rounds of competition featuring two divisions for the men plus a women’s category. Matches start at 12 noon.

Heading the cast in the Cup league are the reigning champions Alabang Eagles. Clark Jets, after a successful 2016 season, are joining forces with Manila Hapons to form the Hapon Jets, and will be expected to be a top favorite in the Plate division, which also drew the Mavericks, the Albay Vulcans and the recently reformed Makati Chiefs.

“Following the excitement of the local teams during the SPI 15s last year, I am looking forward to seeing how this season’s SPI 15s League unfolds,” said PRFU Rugby Development manager Jovan Masalunga.

He added that the event also serves as part of the selection for members of the national team and national development squad.

The 15s rugby format is the traditional code of rugby and dates back to the 1800’s when the code was first introduced in England. Rugby 15s has been in the Philippines for the past decade and has seen success on the international stage since the Asian championships.

The men’s national team the Philippine Volcanoes have been crowned Asian champions, winning Division 4, 3, 2 and 1 in successive years from 2008 through to 2012. The men’s current national 15s team sits sixth in Asia.

SEAPAC Philippines, meanwhile, has announced to partner with the PRFU again and remain as the national team’s headline sponsor. The SPI Philippine Volcanoes will compete in Division 1 of the Asia Rugby Championships in May against Malaysia, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates.