Phnom Penh (July 5): The Cambodia Koupreys are in their final week of training in preparation for next week's Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Asian Nations Tournament in Brunei.

While generally pleased with his team's progress, Kouprey Coach Brian Thomas remains concerned about the challenges his team will face next week. "Playing away from home will be a big test for us, and I'm sure the other teams will be much improved."

The Koupreys open the tournament against host Brunei on July 11, and Thomas believes the encounter has all the ingredients for a very competitive match. "In our match with them (last year) it was very close, until a few of their key players went off with (injuries).

"From the looks of things, Brunei has been training extremely hard. They will be ready for us, no doubt."

As usual, possession, says Thomas, will be the key to the match. "We have some lads in the backs with great pace, but that means nothing if we don't get them the ball."

Thomas received some good news on Tuesday morning when it was announced that Vannak Vireak, one of the standouts of last year's Kouprey squad, would be able to join the team for the tournament. The Kouprey fullback had final exams scheduled which would have prevented him from making the trip to Brunei.

"We were able to rearrange Vireak's schedule, so he could play the first two games of the tournament, and still be able to fly back to Cambodia in time for his school exams," said Thomas. "He's an experienced and talented fullback and we will definitely need him, especially against Brunei and Indonesia."