Kuala Lumpur: Former national rugby sevens (7s) head coach, Mohd Saizul Hafifi Md Noor, has been appointed as the new head coach of the national 15-a-side (15s) Bunga Raya squad, according to Malaysia Rugby, Amir Amri Mohamad. Amir stated that Mohd Saizul will helm the national squad for a one-year term, succeeding the previous coach, Mohd Farid Syazwan Abu Bakar.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Saizul’s initial assignment will be to assemble the national Bunga Raya team for the upcoming 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Championship playoff in April. However, the confirmation of Malaysia’s participation hinges on an upcoming World Rugby meeting on February 18. This meeting will decide whether Sri Lanka will face Malaysia in the championship.

Amir further mentioned that the association has chosen to retain the head coaches for both the men’s and women’s 7s teams. The men’s team is currently led by Nik Safuan Ismade Nik Man, while Mohammad Faiz Samsukhidir leads the women’s team. Both coaches are focused on preparing their teams to compete for medals at the SEA Games in Thailand this December.