“You Never Get Used to It”: Twin Brothers James and Julian Leow Ready to Carry Singapore Rugby Forward at the HSBC SVNS Singapore
- John Yeong
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
Singapore rising rugby stars James and Julian Leow share their thoughts ahead of the SEA 7s tournament culminating alongside the HSBC SVNS Singapore final at the Singapore National Stadium
This is a feature article written by SportPlus.sg for The Kallang Group. For more sports events, programmes and human stories of The Kallang, visit The Kallang's 'Here to Play' website.
As Singapore prepares to welcome the world for the HSBC SVNS Singapore this month, the spotlight shines firmly on a new generation of local players stepping into leadership roles.
Among them are twin brothers James and Julian Leow, whose journey from school fields to the national setup mirrors the evolution of Singapore rugby sevens itself.
With the SEA 7s tournament culminating alongside the HSBC SVNS Singapore final at the Singapore National Stadium, the brothers are embracing both the honour and responsibility of representing Singapore on one of its biggest sporting stages.
From PE Lessons to a Shared Calling
Rugby entered the Leow brothers’ lives during their primary school years, first as a source of fun and freedom rather than ambition.
“I started a bit later,” James recalls. “I was actually playing basketball at first, then I saw Julian playing rugby and I was like, wow, it looks so fun. That’s when I wanted to try it. It was because of my brother that I wanted to pursue rugby.”
For James, rugby felt instinctive. “There’s that freedom of just running with the ball. It calls back to your childhood — no pressure, no fear, just enjoying the game.”
Julian’s introduction was just as organic. “We tried it in PE lessons and it was just fun. You had a ball, you were running, evading people,” he says.
By secondary school, the fun had turned serious. “That’s when we realised we were training so much, putting in so much work,” Julian explains. “That’s when we knew rugby was something we wanted to pursue more seriously.”
Different Paths, One Destination
While their journeys have largely converged, key moments have set them apart. Julian recently represented Singapore at the Southeast Asian Games 2025, a major milestone — even if it ended in heartbreak.
“We lost in the final, so not the way we wanted to end,” Julian admits. “But SEA Games was always a huge goal. Now it’s checked off — though we still want to win it eventually.”
With many senior players set to retire after the upcoming SEA 7s, Julian sees an exciting shift ahead. “We’ve always been the young boys. Now we’re kind of taking over as seniors, even though we’re still relatively young. It’s exciting.”
James, meanwhile, has been adjusting to life in the National Training Squad — a step up he describes as “very humbling”.
“In club training, you’re usually one of the fittest,” he says. “Then you come into national training and you’re at the front running fitness, and you see national players behind you. It makes you realise it’s bigger than yourself.”
What excites him most is the constant pursuit. “In the national team, I feel like I’ll never reach my peak. It’s always a continuous journey, always chasing something. That’s why I stay — to keep pushing myself.”
“You Don’t Own the Jersey — You Borrow It”
Few moments compare to pulling on the Singapore jersey — something both brothers say never loses its meaning.
“Every time I put on the jersey, it feels different,” James shares. “I still get a lump in my throat. Our coach always says you don’t own the jersey — you borrow it. You don’t know how many more times you’ll get to wear it, so every time is special.”
Julian echoes that sentiment. “You never get used to it. Every tournament is different — different teams, different challenges. There’s so much pride in it. It’s hard to put into words.”
Life as Student-Athletes in Singapore
Beyond rugby, both brothers juggle university studies, part-time work, and an intense six-day training schedule.
“It’s tough,” Julian admits. “University workload is much heavier, and we both work part-time as well. We get back from training at 11pm, have dinner at midnight, and the next day we’re up again for class or work.”
James adds that discipline is non-negotiable. “We train in person four times a week, plus gym sessions on our own. For me, I sometimes sleep at 2 or 3am because of design projects, then it’s school and training again.”
Their advice to younger athletes is honest and grounded.
“In university, it’s all about discipline,” Julian says. “Get your priorities right, keep a schedule, use a calendar. There are sacrifices — social life is tough — but you have to know why you’re doing it.”
James is more emphatic. “Just do it. This is the time when you have the energy. Don’t let fear hold you back. You won’t be playing forever — so enjoy school, rugby, friends, everything, while you can.”
Sevens Rugby: “It’s Really Not Easy”
Despite common misconceptions, both brothers are quick to defend the demands of rugby sevens.
“People think sevens is easy, or just for fast players,” James says. “But after one day of sevens, it’s exhausting. It’s repetitive, back and forth, high intensity. It’s tiring in a different way from fifteens, but just as hard.”
Julian adds that managing fatigue comes with experience. “You play multiple games over two days. Recovery, mindset, and preparation become everything.”
Passing the Torch for Singapore Rugby
Singapore rugby, especially in the sevens format, has grown significantly in recent years — something the brothers attribute to increased exposure and development pathways.
“With the HSBC SVNS back in Singapore, the game has grown a lot,” Julian notes. “There’s more effort to bring rugby to youth, more tournaments, more visibility.”
With senior players nearing retirement, James sees both pressure and privilege. “We get to carry their legacy. We represent everyone who came before us, but also add our own flair. It’s exciting — and a bit pressuring — but it’s our turn to step up.”
The Kallang: From the Stands to Stadium Turf
Training and playing at The Kallang has been a surreal experience for the brothers.
“Training here is humbling,” James says. “You see athletes from all sports. You realise you’re part of something bigger.”
Julian still remembers stepping onto the National Stadium turf for the first time. “It was empty, no fans, but just being in such a huge stadium — the echoes — it was wow. Training on our home ground was a really special experience.”
SEA 7s and the Road to the HSBC Singapore Sevens
This year’s SEA 7s will see matches played at the Padang, with the final staged at the National Stadium alongside the HSBC SVNS Singapore— a powerful motivator for the team.
“If we make the finals and get to play here, it’s a privilege,” Julian says. “Against the same teams we lost to at the SEA Games, on our home ground — that’s very motivating.”
James reflects on the journey. “We’ve been coming here since secondary school, watching from the stands. To go from watching to playing on the field — that’s a huge transition, and not many people get to experience it.”
Looking Ahead
As Singapore rugby enters a new era, James and Julian Leow stand ready — proud, hungry, and grounded.
“We’re not done yet,” Julian says. “There’s still so much more to learn, to grow, and to achieve.”
Their message to fans ahead of the SEA 7s and HSBC SVNS Singapore is simple but heartfelt:
“Come down, support local rugby, and be part of the journey. Playing at home, with family and friends in the stands — that means everything.” #SgRugby #RugbySevens #TheKallang
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