ACS (I) to battle RI in glamour final
The first ever Schools Sevens Under-14 final to be played at the National Stadium will see Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) take on Raffles Institution.
The two schools earned the right to play in the 55,000-seater arena on April 17 after finishing as the top two in the three-legged World First Singapore Schools Sevens Under-14 Series, held over three Saturdays in March and April.
The final will enjoy a unique atmosphere, as it will be played after the quarter-finals of the HSBC World Rugby Singapore Sevens, in front of what is expected to be more than 25,000 fans at the National Stadium.
ACS (I) booked their spot after winning rounds one and two, while RI had to contend with Anglo-Chinese School (Barker), St Andrew's Secondary School and Lycee Francais de Singapour for the remaining slot.
After round three at Yio Chu Kang Stadium yesterday, ACS (I) finished with a maximum 30 points, while RI tied with ACS (Barker) for second on 16 points.
But RI qualified for the final by virtue of two runner-up finishes in rounds two and three.
Despite scraping into the final, RI rugby teacher-in-charge Romi Musa insists his boys are looking to put one over their bitter rivals in the historic final.
PREPARED
"We lost 19-12 and 17-12 to ACS (I) in two 'finals', but we will be well prepared come April 17," he said.
"The great thing about this format is the all-important Championship Final at the National Stadium. ACS (I) won all three legs of the series, but they haven't won any silverware, yet."
While the former national 7s player admitted that his team could be overawed by the occasion, he urged fans to turn up in droves.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for players from both teams. All of them have never experienced playing in front of so many fans, so I'm sure there will be some nerves," he said.
"Hopefully, students, teachers, parents and old boys from both schools will turn out in full force to support both sets of players.
"This is the first ever schoolboy 7s final at the National Stadium, and it will be certainly be a day to remember for all."
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