Philippines Looking To Go Back To Back in Unions Cup 2026

The Philippines Men’s team has navigated their way into a second consecutive Unions Cup final and will face the Malaysians on Saturday, 18th July 2026, in Bangkok. We heard from Head Coach Josh Sutcliffe, as well as co-captains Dylan Davies and Kai Stroem, about this week and the tournament.

Photo Credit – PRFU

The Volcanoes, as they are known, defeated Laos in their opening match and beat Singapore in the Cup semifinal on Wednesday to set up a final against a Malaysian team which is making their debut in the tournament, which has expanded to 8 teams this year – the most teams yet.

Following the victory over Singapore, Kai Stroem, who captained the team to last year’s title, said of the win, in which they only led by a point at halftime before running out 33-10 winners; “I think we went alright overall with our strategy and how we wanted to manage the game, which was about playing to our speed and and using our set piece when we were feeling it was strong.”

South African-born Dylan Davies added, “I want to credit Singapore. They came out guns blazing in the first half, so it was a proper test match. It’s not often you get to be in those close test matches. From our side, we were just really adamant that we wanted to get up in their faces. The big thing for us was building that connection between the boys, and I really felt from a defensive standpoint, we really showed up.”

Photo Credit – PRFU – Kai Stroem – Unions Cup 2026

We had asked the Head Coach Josh Sutcliffe what he thought of the match and what had been said at halftime, and he told us: “It was a real test match. Singapore came out with a raised level of intensity, and we were there to match it. So to be a part of a game that’s a real test match where both teams were trying to impose their will – that was really exciting to be a part of.

Our ill-discipline in the first half really allowed them some easy exits and allowed them to put pressure on us, and they forced errors. Both teams were forcing errors, and it was a cut-and-thrust, back-and-forth half.

After halftime, I threw out the challenge to the boys that we really needed to put three to six phases together to create the pressure, and we were able to do that. Once we started doing that, we were able to find some turnovers and create pressure, and get a couple of tries ahead.”

Photo Credit – PRFU – Josh Sutcliffe – Unions Cup 2026

Stroem added that correcting the discipline was key, and with the accurate Malaysian goal kickers lining up against them in the final, it’s something they will need to keep an eye on.

“The big thing was discipline. We had given away more than 10 penalties in the first half, so just tidying up around the ruck and making sure we were on the right side of that put us in a really good place to launch off. Also having the collision fitness and wearing them down for 60 minutes, which cracked them open,” explained Stroem.

Davies agreed and reiterated the coaching message at the break. “Our coach told us it’s not really about the big moments, but it’s just more a matter of grinding them down consistently, and I think the boys did that very, very well. We stayed up on them, and had a few good shots here and there and managed to stay really well connected.”

Sutcliffe said the team were guilty of “thinking we could run over the top of everyone,” adding that he told them it was going to be a real grind, and it was.

“I told them before the game that they would need to earn their opportunities, and those opportunities came. The boys were good enough to take advantage of. We’re just trying to find the right combinations, and I think we landed on some today, and we should see that reflected against Malaysia,” said the Volcanoes Head Coach.

Photo Credit – PRFU – Philippines at Unions Cup 2026

Unions Cup 2026 Final – Philippines vs Malaysia

What is the Volcanoes Head Coach expecting from Malaysia, and what does he want the team to do better in the final?

“They’re a pretty they’re a formidable opponent. I was talking to a couple of the boys before, and I said Malaysia have a different mindset when it comes to what’s passed down, of what’s come before, and I think there’s that real willingness to play and do the hard things.

I expect to see those hard moments when the game is in the balance; their tackling is going to be good. It means they have the ability to work together to slow the ball down. So they are all things that we’re going to have to pay attention to.”

Kai Stroem said the short turnaround means even though they will analyse their opponents, they need to focus on themselves.

“Because of the short camp, we’re put in situations where we still have new combos, so I think time in the saddle, and getting reps in those combos, is hopefully going to unlock things for this next game.”

Davies commented, “A big thing is we have to be more efficient. We really have an opportunity to be efficient, whether it’s running our lines, or hitting breakdowns. It’s just being clinical with how we play.”

Philippines – Unions Cup 2026

He added on the significance and importance of representing the country and playing Test match rugby, “I think it’s really great to see so many debutantes in our squad. It just goes to show what we’re building is something incredibly special.

It’s been an opportunity to meet new people and meet new brothers, and just sharing stories of our Filipino connections, whether you’re growing up in the Philippines or you know living overseas, and just to share our stories.

It’s really brought us closer together at camp and playing these games, so it’s just incredibly special to be here playing on an international stage. It’s always great, and for this tournament to showcase rugby in Asia.”

Hong Kong-based Kai Stroem couldnt agree more. “Once a year, you get to catch up with mates that you can connect with, not just over the enjoyment of rugby, but in terms of having Filipino blood and connecting that way.

You work your butt off to make sure that you can come here and enjoy it to the best of your capability, because you know everyone wants to be in that jersey, and so that part of the competition is really nice.

That part of the competition, and the selections to make the final 30, and people getting selected into the starting 15 or 23 – that journey is really cool.

It’s a really great environment and ecosystem that we have, and very unique. We wish we could do it more often. It’s action-packed to have three games here, but if we could get six months together, that would be the dream. But we’re grateful for what we do get.”

Finals Day

The finals will take place on Saturday, 18 July 2026, with all four matches at the same location for the first time; NONPAO – Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation.

• 7th place: Laos vs Guam 9AM KO
• 5th place: Asian Barbarian  vs Thailand 11AM KO
• 3rd place: Singapore vs Chinese Taipei 2PM KO
• Final: Philippines vs Malaysia 4PM KO

How To Watch the Unions Cup 2026

The Thai Rugby Union will stream all the matches on their YouTube channel.

Unions Cup 2026

• The Philippines and Malaysia Head To Unions Cup 2026 Final.
• Unions Cup 2026 Matchday 1 Reviews.
• Singapore Rugby Tell Us About the Importance of the Unions Cup 2026.
• Rob Fogerty is Part of Coaching Setup For Philippines Unions Cup 2026.