Pakistan set to play rugby tournament under Justin Fitzpatrick – Rugby News Update
Justin Fitzpatrick, the newly appointed coach of the Pakistan rugby team and a former Ireland international has said that the sport has the potential to take-off in Pakistan, as the country is preparing to play in the A5N Tournament to be held in Malaysia
from May 31.
Fitzpatrick was appointed by the Pakistan Rugby Union at the beginning of May, is enjoying his time in the country, which is often thought of a state that is struck with terrorism. However, Fitzpatrick who hails from Belfast is familiar with violence, due
to his Irish background.
“I am from Belfast, so this is something which I am not afraid of. The Pakistan offer excited me so I am here and enjoying my stint,” he said.
Pakistan is a nation that does not know too much about rugby but the sport is slowly taking a hold, with the country competing in regional tournaments, such as the Asian Division III event in Kuala Lumpur, opening the tournament with a match against arch-rivals
India.
The new coach is optimistic about their chances. “I am new in the job,” Fitzpatrick told AFP on the sidelines of a training session. “The boys are athletic and I hope that the team will improve by leaps and bounds.”
He further added, “Besides their good fitness level, the Pakistani players have the right kind of passion for rugby and I am quite hopeful that I will be able to make further improvement in the team.”
Justin Fitzpatrick played rugby at the highest level for clubs like the London Irish, Ulster and he also represented Ireland 26 times in international matches, starting 9 of those games, while coming on as a substitute a further 17 times.
He made his international debut against South Africa at Bloemfontein, on June 13, 1998, and he played the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He played his last international match against Italy at Limerick, on August 30, 2003.
Prior to taking up the coaching role with Pakistan, the 38-year-old has worked as a director at Duncannon Rugby Football Club, while also coaching the Irish women’s Scrum team. He plans to take Pakistan rugby to the next level.
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