COBRA Tens
Kuala Lumpur
1st - 2nd Nov. 2025

Report by Graeme Inglis

The first weekend in November can only mean one thing, The Cobra Tens in Kuala Lumpur (this year, the 52nd edition)! As always it was great to be back, and this year we had the added pressure of having to defend our title.

Despite trying to muster much of the title winning team from last year, there was only one returnee in the shape of last years’ CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer) in Ponsonby’s own Maake Taulami. The rest of the team were made up by players from a variety of clubs around North Harbour, Northland, Auckland, and the Bay of Plenty, while we were also able to squeeze in one Aussie in the shape of Xavier Stewart from Manly (now forever known as ‘Token’). 

The coaching and management teams also had a couple of strong additions this year. Coach McKittrick was joined by Paul ‘Rat’ Feeney (boasting an impressive global coaching CV), and last year’s Team Manager, Graeme ‘Jingles’ Inglis was joined by long time Penguin, Paul Raeburn. All our Physio needs for the week were met by KL’s chief Penguin, Marc Daniel from Synapse Physiotherapy. By happy coincidence the Penguin Coaching Academy were also in action in KL, coaching at local schools and clubs throughout the week. Penguin stalwarts Sandra Soler-Gomez, Sue Olovsson and Jay Nicholas were joined by first time Penguin coach Ian Etheridge, helping to expand our Penguin colony for the week.

To read the full report and view the photos from the tour, please click on the link HERE.