Combined Old Boys Rugby Association
History of Cobra

The Combined Old Boys’ Rugby Association (COBRA) was formed on 8th June 1967, during the time when members of the Commonwealth forces and expatriates dominated rugby in Malaysia. COBRA initially had 19 members and four Life Members.

The objective behind the formation of COBRA was primarily to cater for ex-school rugby players who had few opportunities to continue playing unless they were members of teams of institutions of higher learning or of the uniformed forces at the time.

COBRA membership grew at a fast pace from thereon. During the early 70s, COBRA could field four teams simultaneously under the names COBRA XV, Blacks, Wasps and Fangs and dominated the rugby scene in the country.

In 1985, COBRA achieved another milestone in rugby history by being the first rugby side in the country to have a Clubhouse of its own. The COBRA Clubhouse, as it was known then and even today, was established along Lorong Utara in Petaling Jaya and has since become a fertile breeding ground for COBRA and the nation. The Padang Utara field adjacent to the Clubhouse, but belonging to the Petaling Jaya Town Council, was ‘adopted’ as the COBRA rugby pitch. The COBRA Clubhouse seen today is a far cry from what it was back then. In 1994, IJM Corporation Berhad, the major supporter of COBRA, entered into a joint agreement with COBRA to build a multi million Ringgit sports complex within the COBRA compound fully equipped with sports facilities such as badminton courts, squash courts, function rooms, dorms, rooms, gym and a sauna. In 2002-3, the Clubhouse itself underwent a major upgrading programme with the help of corporate sponsors and loyal supporters of COBRA to become what it is today.

COBRA boasts more than 200 members and still dominates the rugby scene in the country fielding its top 2 teams, the COBRA Blacks and COBRA Stings. Being the breeding ground of top rugby players, COBRA has produced many state and national players.

Cobra has been very fortunate in that it has always been strongly supported by both the Government as well as the private sectors. Apart from IJM, Carlsberg, Adidas and also MAS have been very active supporters of COBRA.

The development and progress achieved by COBRA is also a result of the effective involvement of our expatriate friends from all over the Globe both as players and administrators. Many of them forge strong bonds and remain in touch long after their return to their respective countries of origin.