(19 July 2008, Jakarta, Indonesia)
The Indonesia Rugby Football Union beat Cambodia today to sweep both of its first ever home test matches and win the HSBC Asian Five Nations Regional Tournament in Jakarta. Today’s 55 – 3 demolition of Cambodia followed Indonesia’s 23 – 11 win over Laos on Tuesday, 15 July, 2008.

In the third and final game of the tournament, Indonesia scored seven tries to romp past Cambodia in front of an appreciative home crowd. Laos finished as Tournament runners-up after their 33 – 0 opening win over Cambodia on Saturday 12 July 2008 and the narrow defeat to the hosts.
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15 July 2008, Jakarta, Indonesia
Kick off time at 16:00 today saw the host nation Indonesia take on a spirited and confident Lao team in the second game of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Rugby Tournament currently being held at Pelita Harapan University Sports Stadium in Karawaci, Tangerang.

Although considered favorites, the Rhinos (Indonesia) faced a Lao team that ‘trounced’ their rivals Cambodia last Saturday, 33 - 0, in a confident display of fast-paced rugby.

Lao, having wrestled the Mekong Cup from Cambodia, went into today’s match charged, knowing they had the potential to be the spoilers of this tournament.

Indeed the first 5 minutes saw Lao up 5-0, after a back move turned into a rolling maul and over they went. However within 5 minutes the Indonesian no. 2, Afandy Van hein, charged a 22 drop out, and Steve Barber, crossed over the try line for the Rhinos first.

The second try by the Rhinos occurred on the 20 minute mark after a lineout win and a number of phases of passing back and forth ended with a final charge that saw Steve Barber go over for his second try next to the posts, and the successful conversion made it 12 – 5.

The Rhinos again came close twice over the next 10 minutes and were finally rewarded with a penalty right in front of the posts which took the score to 15 -5.

In the final minutes of the first half, Lao came close with the winger just losing the ball near the corner of the Indonesian try line.

The first 10 minutes of the second half was all Lao, and we got to see Lao begin to dominate the Rhinos scrum. A beautiful back move saw the number 10 for Lao chip over the top putting the Rhinos well on the back foot, but an illegal tackle by an Indonesian player on a Lao chaser stopped what could have arguably been a try. Laos opted for a 5 meter scrum and the ensuing play led to a penalty right in front of the posts which was duly kicked, making the score 15 -8.

Within 2 minutes Lao again had an opportunity to convert a penalty and moved the score to 15 – 11.

The Rhinos began to gain the ascendancy and found themselves driving towards the Lao try line. However, Lao stood firm and finally cleared the ball.

By the 60th minute the Rhinos had worked their way back into the Lao 22 when they were given a penalty for an offside infringement by the Lao team, and the successful conversion, by Kirk Aditya Arundale, made it 18 – 11.

The Lao team put in a great effort and showed some great back moves, keeping the Rhinos guessing, and were unlucky not to be rewarded after one move showed great promise but led to a knock-on.

The Rhinos were given a penalty in the final minute of the match and went for touch,
gaining a lineout on the 5 meter line. After winning the lineout the Rhinos pushed for the line with a rolling maul. Despite Lao stopping it in its tracks, the “Man Mountain”, Yudah Ramon peeled off and scored the final try of the match. The conversion went wide giving a final score on the hooter at 23 – 11.

This victory for the Rhinos puts them closer to taking the tournament spoils, but will have to beat Cambodia on Saturday 19th to succeed. If they do they may earn the right to step up to Divisional qualifications as long as they maintain this form.

For the first time in history, Indonesia will host an international rugby competition on ‘home soil’ from July 12-19, 2008.

The Indonesian National Rugby Team, better known as the ‘Rhinos’ are the reigning champions of a similar regional competition that was hosted in Brunei in 2007.

Due to tournament changes brought about by the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) and a new sponsorship deal with HSBC, the Asian 5 Nation Series involving the 25 Member Nations of ARFU commenced in 2008. Indonesia was chosen as a host union for a Regional Tournament including the Lao PDR and the Kingdom of Cambodia.
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