The MCKK Premier 7's 2014 was the fourth edition of the annual, invitational Malay College Rugby Premier Sevens, which involved teams from Malaysia premier schools, states champions and international schools. It was scheduled from 28 February till 2 March 2014.[1] For the fourth edition of the Tournament, the number of international teams invited has increased from three teams in the previous Tournament to five teams.[2] This year, teams from New Zealand and South Africa, two Test Playing Rugby Nations, will feature for the first time in the Tournament together with debutant Singapore.[3]Thailand and Hong Kong will also be returning this year.[4][5][6] The tournament is also on the verge of being recognized by International Rugby Board with help by Malaysian Rugby Union.[7] The tagline for this tournament is "Premiering Talent and Sportsmanship".[8] Initially, Brunei Sports School were confirmed of participating the events before pulling out in the final minute.[9]
The winner of the quarter-finals gain entrance to Cup semi-finals. The defeated at this quarter final gain entrance to Plate semi-finals.
The Cup/Plate Quarter finals were played with sudden death.
Plate Finals were an international affair as last year Plate Final winner, Hong Kong Sports School, fended off Vajiravudh College 12:5 to emulate last year result. Teams had come through as losers of cup quarter finals. Hong Kong Sports School had earlier failed to maintain its early lead over Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman losing out 14:21. In the plate semi-final, it met Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak, for the second time over the weekend, and third time in two years, going ahead in the ledger, 2:1 over a tired Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak. Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak had earlier given away control of its cup quarter final against host MCKK Allblacks. In its cup quarter final, Vajiravudh College, despite digging deep and pushing Sekolah Sukan Tengku Mahkota Ismail physically, bowed out (12:19). Vajiravudh College came into plate finals after beating Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Yahya Petra 1 which was clearly exhausted after taking the first half quarter finals to Scots College, nailing a try but faded out 5:33.
The gulf of Asian rugby to Test playing nations was evident when Sekolah Sukan Tengku Mahkota Ismail, Malaysia's leading rugby lights and 2-time MCKK Premier 7's champion, had no answer for the rampant Scots College, the New Zealand Condor 7s runners-up 2013,[17][18] who scooted to 43:0 final score in the first Cup semi-final. The second semi-finals were won by first time cup semi-finalist Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, which mischievously sneaked in two early tries, pinning down Malay College Kuala Kangsar Allblacks, the reigning MCKK Premier 7s champions. There was fight back by Malay College Kuala Kangsar coming through with 4 tries of its own, yet it was one unconverted try short of pushing another sudden death 31:26. Malay College Kuala Kangsar had earlier pushed Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak into extra time and snatched a winner after Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak decided to kick the ball which was returned 65 metres for a try.
The formbook who have predicted a one way final, given the previous 5 matches by Scots College which yielded at least 5 tries a game with only Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Yahya Petra 1 crossing its try line. It was a slight drizzle, first time finalist Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman had other ideas. Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman rushed to a 2 try lead through its wingers and pinned Scots College in its own half in the early minutes. The first time Scots College broke away, its ball carrier was penalised for an illegal fend off. Despite this setback and losing one player for a yellow card, Scots College managed to stay in the match and trailed into half time 12-14. The second half clearly showed why rugby is a religion in New Zealand as Scots College stepped up one gear to come out winners 36:14.
The spectators were treated to Scots College performing a rousing haka and Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman contributed to the occasion by singing its school anthem. Quite contrary to recent behaviour of some other supporters, the crowd largely of Malay College Kuala Kangsar supporters were sporting enough and applauded the singing by Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
After Scots College[19] won the tournament, there is issues whether this tournament should include foreign participants which could lead to counter-productivity of the locals participant. Aziz Hassan, columnist of New Straits Times in his article said "Maybe not when it happens once but if foreign teams become the tournament's champions perennially, one can imagine how the local boys would feel, having to settle for second best despite the best of efforts.[20]"Zain Yusoff, Chairman of AllBlacks Revival programme however debunked the statement and insisted it will help the locals to get the taste of high-level competitions.[21] His statement were on par with tournament director Amrul Hazarin Hamidin statement which the organisers, in a bid to boost the quality of the event, are looking to bring at least six foreign teams for the tournament next season.[22]
