October 28, 2009
Indonesia will send its newly formed national rugby sevens team named ‘Harimau’ to participate in the International Rugby Board Asian Sevens Series 2009 – Borneo Sevens Tournament to be held in Kota Kinabalu from 31 October to 1 November 2009.
This will be the first rugby sevens tournament that Indonesia takes part in since the sport gained Olympic entry, to be played in the summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
“Our team is young and eager and although Indonesia is still a very young rugby playing country, the team is fired up and ready to go,” says Sam Refshauge, national rugby sevens coach and Indonesian Rugby Football Union Development Officer. “The number of people playing – especially in schools – has really increased in recent years and we are hopeful that Indonesia can play and succeed at the top level in coming years,” Sam continues.
“This (event) is historical and even though we are ranked quite low for the start of the tournament, sports is always full of underdogs making surprises,” says team manager, Tito Vau. “The whole Indonesian rugby community is behind us and the ‘Harimau’ will show their appreciation by giving it their best on and off the field.”
Indonesia, ranked 12th out of 12 for the tournament is in the same group as Asian champions Japan along with regional powerhouses Thailand and Malaysia.
The national rugby sevens ‘Harimau’ will also take part in the prestigious Singapore Cricket Club Rugby Sevens Tournament to be held 7-8 November 2009.
October 27, 2009
And that’s not the only interesting piece of information you’ll pick up if you spend a bit of time with the Matano Miners Rugby Club Captain, Irawan Sudewa… As well as being a wealth of knowledge about the region Irawan is working hard to develop a strong club through links with the ex-pat and local community and businesses, the local junior SMP and senior SMA high schools and even the Lulu Timur representative to KONI (the governing body for sports in Indonesia).
Based on the strong motto ‘Miners for Life’ the Sorowako Rugby Club has come along way since its humble beginnings in 2007. Established by a New Zealand ex-pat Andrew Kelman in the small mining town of Sorowako, located in the depths of South East Sulawesi, its remoteness makes for a special breed of players, with the Matano Miners renowned for their fast-paced, tough, competitive, and open style of rugby.
The Matano Miners now boast a player roster of 20 male seniors, 30 male juniors and 15 female juniors and with interest and support growing rapidly in the area, thanks to the hard work of the senior club members, these numbers are increasing rapidly.
Whilst visiting the Miners this week IRFU Rugby Development Officer, Sam Refshauge, managed to assist the local boys in their promotion of the game to the local community through presentations and coaching at the local SMP & SMA schools and meetings with the ValeInco community development managers and the Lulu TImur representative to KONI.
Sam also found time to identify some local talent in both the senior and junior teams. Irwan Rahim and Hasri Bahading will be traveling to Jakarta next week to join the Indonesian ‘Harimau’ Rugby 7’s team for their upcoming tours to the Borneo and Singapore Cricket Club 7’s tournaments.
Sam also found time to identify some local talent in both the senior and junior teams. Irwan Rahim and Hasri Bahading will be traveling to Jakarta next week to join the Indonesian ‘Harimau’ Rugby 7’s team for their upcoming tours to the Borneo and Singapore Cricket Club 7’s tournaments.
It is truly great to see grass roots rugby developing from the ground up and in Sorowako the Matano Miners are doing just that. If things continue along the same track it won’t be long until Rugby drop kicks sepak bola off its perch in Sulawesi!
The Matano Miners and the Sumbawa Naga’s are in the process of organising a Rugby XV’s match to be held in Makasar, January 2010. This would be the first ever rugby match in the South Sulawesi. Well done on making history boys!
October 17, 2009
On the Island of Sumbawa (2 islands east of Bali) and amongst pristine beaches and lavish jungle if you search hard enough you will find the home of the Sumbawa Naga’s Rugby Club. Situated within the grounds of the Newmount mine site, and on first class training facilities (for Indonesian standards), the Naga’s run through the paces twice a week, every week, improving their skills and knowledge of the game at every session, under the watchful eye of ’super coach’ Ray Daniels.
As the ex-pat community slowly continues to dwindle, as it is in many of these mine site dominated communities, leadership of the club is slowly being put back onto the local rugby players - although they’re still getting tips from some of Indonesia’s most experienced players Warren Wilcox and Jono Parker.
In the lead up to the Bali 10’s tournament the Naga’s played host to the IRFU Rugby Development Officer who assisted with 2 training sessions. Aimed at improving the communication, team work and try scoring abilities of the team these sessions proved to be a great success as Asep Andriana flew over the try-line at the Bali 10’s tournament for the Naga’s Development Team’s first ever try. An act which earned Asep a berth in the Indonesian Rugby 7’s team. (Unfortunately due to a hand injury sustained in the Bali 10’s tournament Asep will not be able to join the National team in their upcoming tours to the Borneo and Singapore Cricket Club 7’s tournaments).
As in many all Indonesian teams the pride and team spirit at the Naga’s is second to none and as their performances continue to improve on the field their strength as the team off the field is something to be envied. Look for a win from the Naga’s at their next tournament, and then listen for the wail of their team song (led by Indonesia’s oldest player Ekliopas Danyel Wanggi)…. NAGA NAGA NAGA!!!
October 14, 2009
In biggest rugby event ever held in Bali and Indonesia, played under lights for the first time the 2009 XP Xclusive Property Bali 10’s Open Cup, Asian Cup and inaugural Bali Women 7’s Cup were dominated by Malaysian teams
In the first women’s rugby tournament ever held in Indonesia,The Bali Women 7’s , RC Selangor Dingoes edged out their bigger rivals from South Darwin 7-5.
In the Asian Cup,played under Indonesian Development rules of maximum 20% expats allowed on field at any time,the MAS Cougars were too strong for the Kotekas from Papua.The Kotekas, running on shoestring budget proved to be the strongest Indonesian side by beating their big city rivals, the Jakarta Bantengs in a close semi final on their way to the Asian Cup Final.
In the Open cup,the pre -tournament seeding proving correct with the top 4 seeds reaching the semifinals.
In the first semifinal,the NS Wanderers from Malaysia were clear winners over 2007 winners University of West Australia 17-0 .In the second semi final the Canterbury High School Old Boys from Christchurch could not stop the 2008 winners Cobras from booking their spot in the final losing to the Cobras 5-17.
This set up a rematch of last months 2009 Singapore Blacks 10’s final between Malaysia’s two top sides NS Wanderers and Cobras.In a an intense final played under the lights,a try after the fulltime hooter confirmed the Wanderers as Malaysia’s in form side at the moment coming out on top 12-7.
The Plate Final was a nailbiting affair that went to sudden death in extra time with the Wave wearers of Hong Kong kicking a drop goal penalty to seal the win 15- 12 over the Balmoral Hellfish.
Confirming the results
Women’s 7’s Plate Final : Singapore Bucks Women’s 17 RC Selangor Select (MAL) 0
Women 7’s Cup Final : RC Selangor Dingoes (MAL) 7 South Darwin Bunnies (AUS) 5
Asian Plate Final : Cobra Sting (MAL) 22 Sorowako Matano Miners (INA) 5
Asian Cup Final : MAS Cougars (MAL) 14 vs Papua Kotekas (INA) 5
Open Shield Final : Cobra Tune (MAL) 17 Jabiru BushTurkeyz (AUS) 14
Open Bowl Final : Nedlands (AUS) 14 ISCI Jakarta Komodos (INA) 0
Open Plate Final : Wave Wearers (HK) 15 Balmoral Hellfish (AUS) 12
Open Cup Final : NS Wanderers (MAL) 12 Cobra (MAL) 7
Player of the tournament ; Va Lu ( NS Wanderers)
Bali Rugby would like to thank all the teams,the referees,and the following sponsors,tournament sponsor XP Xclusive Property.Heineken for the beers to celebrate,
Canggu Club for its great facilities,Stiff Chilli Foods,long time sponsor of Bali Rugby,BIMC Hospital for the medical assistance,Bali Sports Foundation for the field lights and Eikon Bar for supporting the After Tournament party.
Bali Rugby looks forward to welcoming all the participating teams back in 2010
Rodney Holt
Tournament Director
Bali Rugby President
========================================
Highlights of the finals of the Bali 10 & 7’s can be seen at stiff chilli
Also tournament pictures can be viewed at picasa balirugby10s
More will be uploaded over the next week.
==========================================
