(Pic above, the Tokyo Crusaders Bangkok International 10's side 2009)
How can I describe the rugby this weekend? Well it was easily one of
the best weekends since coming to Thailand. So much was going on, I think
for personal ease I have to summarise the main points as a list.
1.
The Thais and the Japanese are excellent at 10's rugby, where ability
to move the ball fast and overall fitness are paramount. A larger, less fit Farang side, stand no chance against a physically
smaller, fitter South East Asian side at this game. Fact.
2. We lost 4 games overall, and won 2, so not too terrible for a motley crew like ours.
3.
My team, the Tokyo Crusaders, were a cracking bunch of lads. They had all travelled over from Japan to Thailand, and were in the mindset to make the most of their time, taking part in all that
Thai culture has to offer (ahem). The TC's consisted of 3 Americans, 3
Japanese, 4 Brits and a Kiwi, I believe.
4. I managed to bag myself 2 tries, one against an Indonesian side ICSS Komodos, and
another against Nakhon Pathon, a Bangkok club. We also beat both these
teams.
5. Amusingly, we had to play the New Zealand Legends in
the first game on the second day, which came as the result of a very
nasty pool draw. Being all unfit, we were suffering badly from the
previous days play. I was so stiff I felt like a paving slab. In the
warm up before the game, I've seen statues move faster than some of our
guys. Yes, we lost, but it wasn't as bad as you might think.
The
Kiwi's played hard, bordering on dirty truth be told. It all kicked off
after half time when one of the NZ guys started throwing punches in the
ruck; and so fisticuffs were duly returned. The Burwood Blues, a team from Sydney that eventually
went on to beat NZ Legends in the final and win the competition, cheered us on. As one Burwood Blue put it after the game 'Nice one lads, I hate faacking Kiwi's.'
You have to love the Aussies, unafraid to speak their minds.
6.
In the second game against the Nippon Oval Boys, I was away, through,
running down the line. I had one final Japanese guy to beat as I charged for the line. I thought I would run over him, with the Japanese being slight and all.
I couldn't have been more wrong, he broke me in half. It felt like I had run into a brick wall.
7.
Working up a hunger after the first two games, I ignored the burgers
and thought myself fit and healthy for ordering 3 banana's. The South
African fella behind me, 6 inches taller, bought the entire box. Lucky
I was first in the queue eh.
8. The Burwood Blues won the
contest. They were a typical Aussie side, incredibly friendly, made up from many nationalities and portraying the kind of enthused team spirit
and confidence that only true, top class sides have. They were
brilliant, and not up themselves, 100 percent deserved.
9. In our final game, we played a team from Bombay. One of their wingers was put down in a tackle. As I ran past, I noticed him sit up, brace himself, and then rejoin his dislocated shoulder back into it's socket. He casually got up to his feet, smiled and winked at me, and carried on playing. Kiss that, Mel Gibson.
In conclusion, the Thai's have an excellent rugby future.
I was genuinely shocked to see how good they were. A couple of the Thai
clubs in particular, the Thai barbarians (who beat us) and the Thai
legends, were easily on a par with the best Aussie and the Kiwi sides.
Given the right day and a bit of luck, either one of them could have
taken the cup. I've also spied a club that I would like to play for, if
time permits, so hopefully I will be able to post more on rugby in
Thailand.
Finally, for any expat or Thai local reading this blog,
I heavily recommend you go to next years event. Its held at the Pattana
Bangkok School, a great venue, lots of food, beer tents, with lots of places
to sit down. There are cooling fans blowing fine water mist all over the venue, so
its never too hot, and there is plenty of shelter around all 3 pitches.
Even for those of you who are not ardent rugby fans, it's impossible to not enjoy, as you watch English sides play Thais, Japanese
sides play South Africans, Indian sides play Aussies, the list goes on
and on, the action, fun and cheer is relentless.
Bangkok Post Article Here
Photos Here