I’ve cut and pasted a press release on the Indonesian team for the upcoming Asian Nation Series in Cambodia starting June 27. If you want to find out more about Rugby in Indonesia go to their website http://www.indonesianrugby.com/


Indonesian Rugby goes International

The Indonesian Rugby Football Union’s (IRFU) National Team will make its official IRB-sanctioned international debut on June 27th, 2006 at the Asian Rugby Football Union Division 6 Championships in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Indonesia will be competing against Cambodia, Lao and Brunei. The team will be coached by Nico de Ribas, a French National who played several years of top level French Rugby.

This is a huge step forwards for the newly-formed (December 2005) IRFU as they work towards becoming an official IRB Member Nation and ultimately one day competing in the Rugby World Cup Qualification matches.

The IRFU is sponsored by companies including Thiess Indonesia, Standard Chartered Bank, Digital 1, PAC and the Canggu Club, who along with several other companies provide sponsorship for the fledgling union.

Stephen Barber, Vice President of the IRFU and also a player selected as part of the 28-strong Indonesian commented that, “It was a huge honour to be taking part in the first ever International Test to be played by Indonesia and that he was united with his Indonesian colleagues to do well at the tournament and put Indonesian Rugby on the map.”

Two young Indonesian lads one of whom is currently based in Dubai and the other in England are traveling ‘home’ to Indonesia, to join up with the squad before it departs for Cambodia. In recent correspondence, Dwikie Pinotoan commented from Dubai that, “He was proud of being Indonesian and willing to travel back to play ‘Test’ rugby for Indonesia”.

The squad is made up of players originating from West Papua, North Maluku, Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, Sumatra, Bali, and Java plus expat residents from the UK, Australia and South Africa. The squad is as follows:

Husni Hiduar, Styvan Johannis, Uju Juhara (Balikpapan), Dwikie Pinotoan (Dubai), Fentje Lala, Hardiyanto Bitjara, Iksan Robo, Made Palit, Markus Lahunde, Nurhalis, Yani Alhabsi (Gosowong), Dave Letchford, Stephen Barber, Dave Keefe, Sebastian Sharp (ISCI Jakarta), Daniel Nugroho, Fikri Al-Azhar (Jakarta Bantengs), George Deda, Daniel Kobak, Nelson Joku, Niko, Willem Simopiaref (Kotekas), Andries Smallberger, Warren Wilcox (Sumbawa Nagas), Fadin Purimahua, Rod Bridges, Putu Puswadi (Sangatta Saracens), Kurt Arundale (MMU Cheshire, England).

NOTE other sites for Cambodia & Laos (Brunei site still inactive):

http://www.cambodianfederationofrugby.com/

http://www.laorugby.com/

I think Philipine is very good in rugby..

We're beginners just like Indonesia Filipinos locally have only been playing Rugby in some numbers since 2003.

Same with Laos, Cambodia & Brunei - I think Indonesia has a good chance of winning this tournament.

another cappelan rugby thread, but in indonesia forum?? man rugby is really ur passion man. almost all the posts ive seen from u r rugby related.

*sniff*

I heard Thailand or Singapore are the strongest nations in SE-Asia when it comes to rugby, but let wait and see.

I don't think they have "Rugby" glue in Indonesia mate exclusively Filipino - BAD LUCK




I'm an official volunteer for the PRFU so I post for them in 50odd forum sites.

I know the Australian rep of the Indonesian Rugby Union here in Sydney and I am in contact with the exec. in Indonesia and have offered to help them spread the word of Indonesian Rugby




http://www.rugbyinternational.net/

RUGBYINTERNATIONAL.NET
WORLD INTERNATIONAL RUGBY RANKINGS-GWC SYSTEM 2005
as at 10 June, 2006
ASIA TABLE 05 04 03
1 JAPAN 1 1 1
2 KOREA 2 2 2
3 HONG KONG 3 3 4
4 SRI LANKA 4 8 5
5 KAZAKHSTAN 5 5 11
6 SINGAPORE 6 4 7
7 ARABIAN GULF 7 6 3
8 CHINA 8 7 10
9 CHINA-TAIPEI 9 9 6
10 THAILAND 10 10 12
11 MALAYSIA 12 11 8
12 INDIA 11 12 9
13 PAKISTAN 15 13 13
14 PHILIPPINES 0 0 0
15 GUAM 13 0 0
16 MACAU 14 14 0
17 CAMBODIA 16 0 0

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailsports...0615.J02&irec=1

June 15, 2006

Indonesia to face Macau in rugby

Indonesia will face Macau for its first rugby Test at the ISCI compound in Jakarta on Friday. The match, confirmed late last week, will kick off at 7:30 p.m. It will be proceeded by a youth coaching clinic at 5:30 p.m., led by former All Black Terry Wright, Wallaby Tom Lawton and recently retired England cap Phil Greening.

"This is as big as it gets for rugby union football in Jakarta," Indonesian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) spokesman Geoff Atkinson said. "We are hoping for a big turnout of kids at the coaching clinic -- even if they have no experience. It's all about fun and learning from some of the best in world rugby."

The Macau match is Indonesia's last match before a four-series tour of Cambodia late in June. A 28-man Indonesian squad will meet Brunei, Cambodia and Laos in three full-time matches over five days.

"The squad comes from all over Indonesia -- and they have been training hard for this tournament from as far as West Irian to Kalimantan. This is the first chance the squad has had to come together -- and we are really looking forward to seeing the squad jell as a unit," Atkinson said.

On Saturday, more than 500 rugby fans are expected to attend the IRFU's gala fund-raiser.
With former All Black, Wallaby and England guest speakers, the afternoon coincides with the Australia versus England 2nd Test -- which will be televised live on giant screens in the hotel ballroom where the fund-raiser will be held.

ESPN-Star Sports presenter Jason "Sambo" Sampson from Singapore will lead the entertainment with prizes of international flights, lucky draws and raffles.

-- JP

wakakaka

r u for serious

indo ada rugby team.. i so have to see it.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

http://www.indonesianrugby.com/

oooh..i didnt know kazak had a rugby team. ANyway its nice to know Indo has a rugby team.

I hope Indonesia can win..
Cheers for All Asian mates..

Eh Indo has a rugby team?
Wow.... cool
Disiarin gak yah?
I hope can win

exactly what i think..
i read somewhere indonesia also hv a national cricket team
next time maybe we'll have indonesian footy team

anyways, nice effort for all involved. but why rhinos? the team can be nearing extinction like its namesake

Wow! Indonesian rugby team?! I wonder how buffed Indonesians can be.

lol....i was thinking the same thing..

Can we incorporate some Samoans into the Indonesian rugby team, cause then the Indo team will get beefed up considerably.

You'll have more luck with Fijians they have played a major role in improving and developing Rugby Union in SEA. The teams in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Guam have large numbers of Fijian players & coaches who have helped improve their game.

The Sabah team that won the SEA games Rugby 7s site sport last December 2005 was basically a Fijian team.

Rugby.. the most gentleman game.. It will normal if players step on your body.. unlike football, if you just tap a little on football player's body, they will roll from goal post to goal post.. a lot of simulation..

http://www.islandsportz.com/next-links=may...hfortheSky.html

Reach for the Sky

Indonesian rugby reaches for the sky with its first International Test on home soil next month. The Indonesian Rhinos meet Macau under lights on 16 June. The following day the Indonesia Rugby Football Union (IRFU) hosts a fundraiser in Jakarta with guest speakers from England, Australia and New Zealand. More than 500 friends of rugby are expected at one of the city's finest hotels for the luncheon which coincides with a live telecast of Australia v/s England 2nd Test. Top prizes and raffles including overseas airfares, five-star accommodation along with free-flow beer, wine and great food promise to make for a great night. MC Justin Sampson from ESPN Star Sports in Singapore will also auction rugby memorabilia with funds raised going to the development of Indonesian rugby and the Priscilla Hall Foundation which assists orphanages and other Indonesian social groups. Last year a signed guernsey donated by former Wallaby World Cup Captain, John Eales, fetched Rp 220 million. The IRFU's Geoff Atkinson said: "We have a huge calendar of rugby this year with a tour of Cambodia in a four-way play-off against Brunei and Laos.

We have introduced programs where Indonesians are learning the game of rugby from school level in Jakarta and the provinces, we put money into junior development and last year we saw several players receive Level 1 Coaching Accreditation.

We are also in the process of starting a schools competition." After the all-Indonesian teams exhibition match at last year's SEA Games - the national team has been invited to Thailand the SEA Games where rugby will be played a recognized sport.

BAHASA
Rugby Indonesia kini makin melambung dengan akan berlangsungnya pertandingan Test Internasional di negeri sendiri bulan depan. Tim Badak Indonesia akan menghadapi Macau pada tanggal 16 Juni. Keesokan harinya Indonesia Rugby Football Union (IRFU) akan mengadakan acara pengumpulan dana di Jakarta dengan pembicara tamu dari Inggris, Australia dan New Zealand. Lebih dari 500 rekan-rekan penggemar rugby diharapkan akan hadir di salah satu hotel terbaik di Jakarta untuk makan siang dan sekaligus menyaksikan siaran langsung pertandingan Test kedua Australia v/s England. Berbagai hadiah menarik termasuk tiket pesawat dan akomodasi di hotel bintang lima, serta bir gratis, anggur dan makanan yang begitu lezat akan melengkapi acara di malam harinya. MC Justin Sampson dari ESPN Star Sports di Singapura juga akan melelang rugby memorabilia yang dananya akan dipakai untuk mengembangkan rugby di Indonesia dan juga diberikan kepada Priscilla Hall Foundation yang membantu panti asuhan dan lembaga sosial lainnya di Indonesia. Tahun lalu sebuah guernsey yang disumbangkan oleh mantan Kapten Wallaby dalam Piala Dunia, John Eales, mencapai nilai Rp 220 juta. Wakil IRFU Geoff Atkinson mengatakan: "Kami memiliki banyak kalender untuk rugby tahun ini dengan sebuah tur ke Cambodia dalam play-off empat arah melawan Brunei dan Laos. Kami telah memperkenalkan program di mana orang Indonesia bisa belajar tentang olah raga rugby dari level sekolah di Jakarta dan provinsi lain, kami mengalokasikan dana untuk membangun level junior dan tahun lalu ada beberapa pemain yang menerima Level 1 Coaching Accreditation. Kami juga sedang dalam proses untuk memulai kejuaraan antar sekolah." Setelah pertandingan eksebisi tim Indonesia pada SEA Games tahun lalu - tim Indonesia sudah diundang ke Thailand dimana dalam SEA Games yang akan berlangsung di negara tersebut rugby akan dipertandingkan sebagai salah satu cabang yang akan memperebutkan medali.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailnation...0618.J03&irec=5
June 18, 2006

Macau stuns Indonesia in friendly rugby duel

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As the Indonesian national rugby team prepared to play Cambodia next week, it was beaten 10-17 in a friendly match against the visiting Macau team at the ISCI rugby field in Ciputat, South Jakarta, on Saturday evening.

The Macau players put heavy pressure on the home team from the start, repeatedly attacking the Indonesian defense to ground the ball in the goal line.

The home team fought hard to tackle the 15 physically bigger players from Macau, but Macau bagged the first try, 0-5.

"This is a very tough game. The Macau team forced us to play all-out, although most of us want to save our energy for the real fight next week against Cambodia," said Indonesian player Fikri Muhammad Al-Azhar.
Indonesia nearly scored a try when an Indonesian runner in the left wing was only five meters away from the Macau's tryline before he went down.

The game turned rougher in the second half, as the Indonesian team turned offensive and scored the first try within five minutes, to the boisterous cheers of around 100 supporters.
The Macau team bounced back and forced many scrums in the pitch before it scored two more tries.
It bagged two bonus points after successfully kicking the ball from the pitch's corner into the Indonesian goalpost.

Before the final whistle, Indonesia managed to get another touch-down to make the final score 10-17.
Indonesia and Macau are both newcomers to the Asian Rugby Football Unions (ARFU) organization, joining late last year along with Iran, Laos, Brunei and Cambodia.

The promotion of the Indonesian White Rhinos, came hot on the heels of a historic silver medal performance at the SEA Games in the Philippines in early December last year.

As part of the ARFU Division 6 championships, the Indonesian team will fly to Cambodia to play against the Cambodian national team from June 25 to July 2.

The 32-strong Indonesian squad consist of 21 locals from various areas across the country, three Australian citizens, three Englishmen, one Papua New Guinean and one South African. The team will be accompanied by coach Nicolas de Ribas of France and team manager William "Bill" James Ryan from the United States.

^ Indonesia should hire more Australians to play in the rugby team, their body is built-up for this game. Let the Aussies do all the work for Indonesia.

Rugby Union can be played by anyone, you are doing the Asian athlete a dis-service in stating otherwise.

Like all the new Aisan Rugby playing nations it will probably take a generation or 2 before they become competetive even in a regional setting. You always fall on your bum first when you are learning to walk, same with learning a new sport.

If you check out the Indonesian Rugby website http://www.indonesianrugby.com/ you can see that like a lot of the other SEA nations teams Indonesians are relatively new to the sport.

All you need is time and experience to develop.

Rugby is a game dependent on your body size and built, not really on skills. Australians and white people in general has their body genetically built for rugby compared with Asians.

Are Fijians and Maoris not asian in physique?

^The ones I've met in real life are quite a few notches more robust overall.

Yeap, that's bcoz Pacific Islanders eat far too much coconuts..

Did u get statistic from the Economist?

@purnomor: Yeah, but they (especially many maoris and samoans) are really bulky --- they're both very muscular and when they get older gets a bit of paddings as well. That's probably why they are suited to sports like rugby and American football, where we're gettin more and more Samoans in the NFL.

No arguments from me that size matters a lot in Rugby Union - but in all reality at the end of the day Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines (actually every SEA nation) will be competing amongst themselves for the foreseeable generation or 2 so size is irrlevant (maybe with the exception of the Malaysians because they have naturalised & 3yr resident Fijians in their National team).

These are photos of an U19 Asian tournament in Pakistan last year. In the 1st photo you can see the japanese players are not that small. The next 2 photos you can see the size difference between U19 Brunei players to the pakistanis & they beet them twice in the tournament.

Yes size in Rugby Union matters but in 3 - 4 generations of experience and hopefully a wealthier group of SEA nations local people and players are bigger.

http://www.pakistanrugby.com/home/photos.p...pgmFilters=#pic

http://www.pakistanrugby.com/home/photos.p...pgmFilters=#pic

I live in Sydney and a couple of months back spoted a High School Japanese Rugby Team in town they were as big as the high school Tongan, Samoan, Fijian & Maori kids of the same age that I work with everyday as a Community Youth Worker.

Diet, improved standards of living in a number of generation will produce bigger, fitter Asians. On average Filipino & Indonesian-Australians are generally bigger & fitter than their Mother/Father land counterparts due to diet & living standards.

This is a generational game. Hopefully standards of living and poverty is tackled with luster by all in SEA in the next couple of generations.

http://www.pakistanrugby.com/home/photos.p...pgmFilters=#pic

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailsports...0624.I01&irec=1

June 24, 2006

RI boys team up for rugby tour

Geoff Atkinson, Contributor, Jakarta

They may live on opposite sides of the world -- but Kirk Arundale from London and Dwikie Pinontoan of Dubai become brothers-in-arms as the Indonesian "Rhinos" embark on a tour of Cambodia.

Both with Indonesian parents, Kirk and Dwikie flew into Jakarta to join the 28-man Indonesian squad to meet Brunei, Cambodia and Laos next week.

This is the first time Indonesia has played at an International Rugby Board (IRB) sanctioned tournament and organizers say it is international recognition of the big steps Indonesia rugby has taken on and off the field in the past two years.

The squad will leave for Cambodia on Sunday.

"I can't begin to tell you what this means in terms of pride for me and my family," said 17-year-old Dwikie, whose father works as an oil company executive in Dubai. "My dad represented Indonesian in judo -- and for me to be able to play for my country in the sport I love is beyond my wildest dreams."

Next week's tour follows a tough international against Macau last Friday night under the lights at Jakarta's ISCI sports ground. The match was narrowly won by Macau which was full of praise for the young Indonesian team.

The Indonesian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said the response to rugby in the past 12 months has been fabulous.

"We've been trying to spread the game through as many provinces as possible -- we now have players from Kalimantan, Bali, Maluku, Java, Sumatra and West Papua on the tour to Cambodia -- and the popularity of rugby is increasing every month."

The inclusion of Dwikie and Kirk into the squad would add balance and experience and inspire many of the young Indonesian players about them. "Both these boys play the game at a high junior level -- and while they're stepping up into open-age competition -- they will be a steadying force for the inexperienced players around them," the IRFU said.

The squad is made up of 20 Indonesians, eight expatriates and is coached by Nico de Rebas, a French national living in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. They have been training as a unit in Jakarta for the past few days -- but will come up against tough competition on the Cambodian tour.

"Our players come from all over the country and they don't get the chance to train together until a few days before the tournament," de Rebas said. "It makes it hard to work on the finer points of team work and set moves -- but what these guys lack in time together they make with big hearts and their passion for the game."

Kirk, 19, will return to London for university studies immediately after the Cambodian tournament but says he will return to Indonesia as soon as possible.

"I want to put something back into the game in this country," he said. "If I can do that by coming out here (Indonesia) coaching and helping youngsters in my university holidays -- that's what I want to do. If you'd have asked me a couple months back If I would be representing my country in rugby -- I would have said you were out of your mind. What Indonesian rugby has done for me is just unbelievable."
Geoff Atkinson is the spokesman for the IRFU.

I would advise the Cambodian not to take this sport seriously.
There are enormous physical and size problems for the Cambodia and other South East Nations to compete in the competitive level. International stage, the South East Asia will suffer with strong bodies and experienced teams from the pacific and the west.

Cambodia don't have the quantity of massive bodies to play this sport. Cambodia is better off continueing the progress with traditional Kickboxing and soccer.

Just my opinion.

This isn't the 1st comment on the fear that the smaller South East Asian physic will not cope with Rugby Union. This fear seems to be heightened when we are compared to Tongans, Samoans, Fijians & Maoris and the fear that we may have to play against them.

What this also shows is the lack of understanding of how the IRB regional tournaments work.

Note Cambodia, Indonesia and all the other SEA nations will never ever face the Polynesian countries or Australia, NZ, England etc for that matter unless they are a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Rugby Playing nation.

The only reason why Japan & Korea play all these other countries are the fact that they are Tier 2 Rugby playing countries they are in the top 30 in the world.

Now the way the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) works all the 25 odd countries are ranked from Tier 1 - Tier 6 you have to be in Tier 1 to have the chance to play Australia, NZ, Tonga, Samoa etc. Cambodia, Indonesia are Tier 6 countries they will never get to play against Australia, NZ, Tonga etc. unless for some great miracle of Rugby development they reach Tier 1 in ARFU

So to allay everyone's fears of playing MONSTER TONGANS AND SAMOANS this will not happen. What this means is that they will be playing countries like Indonesia, Brunei, Guam, Laos and if they win the tournament this month they will move up to Tier 5 and will have to play the Philippines & India.

Now one can see size does not matter considering opposition will be the same size as you.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailsports...0626.I01&irec=0

June 26, 2006

Indonesian squad in Cambodia for rugby tourney

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A 32-strong Indonesian rugby squad flew to Cambodia on Sunday to compete in the 6th division of the Asian Rugby Championships.

Team spokesman Geoffrey Atkinson said the team, which is made up of Indonesians and expatriates, would face Cambodia, Laos and Brunei Darussalam during the weeklong championships starting Sunday.

Atkinson said they had little knowledge of their opponents. "We have never met them before. We don't know which teams will be the strongest contenders," Atkinson said.

Winger Fikri Muhammad Al-Azhar said he was looking forward to the challenge.

"All the team members are in good shape and we have enjoyed good training," Fikri told The Jakarta Post before the departure.

The squad, under the coaching of Frenchman Nico E. De Ribas, underwent a three-day intensive training.
Fikri was hopeful that his team could sweep its matches. "We are a solid team." he said.
Indonesia is a newcomer to the Asian Rugby Football Unions (ARFU) organization. It joined late last year along with Iran, Laos, Brunei, Macau and Cambodia.

This will be the second international outing for the Indonesian team, nicknamed the White Rhinos, following an exhibition competition during the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines last December.
Eight of the team members are expatriates who are eligible to play for their adopted country since they have been living here for at least three years, as required by the rules.

The expatriates include three Englishmen, three Australians, one South African and one Papua New Guinean. English prop and hooker Dave Keefe, 50, and Australian tighthead prop Rod Bridges, 49, are the oldest players on the national team.

Two overseas-based young Indonesian players, prop Dwikie Pinotoan, 17, and flanker Kurt Arundale, 19, have been called home to shore up the team.

Dwikie, who is the youngest on the team along with flanker Daniel Rahadian Nugroho, currently studies at a university in Dubai and plays for the Dubai Exiles club. Kurt plays for MMU Cheshire club in England where he is studying.

The team had a discouraging warm-up last week. It was beaten 17-10 by a visiting team from Macau in a friendly game at the ISCI club rugby field in Ciputat, South Jakarta.

http://www.cambodianfederationofrugby.com/

Cambodia beats Indonesia

30 - 7 in first of the Asian Nations Series Division 6 games. Full story tomorrow..

http://www.irb.com/EN/News/Regional+News/0...fu+div+6+r2.htm

Thursday 29 June
14:00 Brunei 10-41 Cambodia
16:00 Indonesia 34-10 Laos

http://cambodianfederationofrugby.com/content/view/83/37/

INDONESIA BOUNCES BACK

PHNOM PENH (June 29)---Indonesia used its size advantage to break open a tight first half and cruised to a 34-12 victory over Laos Tuesday in the Asian Nations Series Division 6 tournament.

Center Nico Alfius-Imerson led his team with two tries, while two veteran props, 49 year old Aussie Rod Bridges and 50 year old Englishman Dave Keefe powered their way to scores late in the game.

Lao flyhalf Viengkhone Vongphengsy led the way for his team with two tries, including a nifty 20 meter dash in the 35th minute of the first half, giving Laos a short lived 12-5 lead..

But Indonesia quickly control after that as its pack dominated the smaller but valiant Laotions. Alfius Imerson barreled his way into the goal from 5 meters out, tying the score. Bridges scored his try off a maul from 3 meters out just moments into the second half, giving his team a 17-12 lead and from then on, Indonesia never looked back.

its true!

Very interesting indeed that Cambodia has beaten Indonesia.
I have been living in Cambodia for many years and actually never heard of this physical sport, before.
I assume, the scoreboard does saying that Cambodia is capable of playing the sport, possibly.

Whatever the result for Cambodia, just in my opinion, this sport required more awareness, recognition, particularly the players need many years to improve, develop and more competitive, I guess.

But this is still a big question that we cambodian need to take into some kind of consideration, for example if Cambodia doing exceptionally ok in the south east tournaments, but on the contrary playing agaisnt the pacific islanders or the west, we have no chance at all. well, I say no point.

Last, I hope the awareness of the sport is not going to be enormous because there are many sports that Cambodia can do better than Rugby.

Are there lots of Asian-Australians playing the rugby? I never saw any..

BTW what's the diff between rugby league and rugby union? Why rugby union failed to gain popularity in Australia?

http://cambodianfederationofrugby.com/content/view/84/37/

INDONESIA WINS SECOND TOURNAMENT TEST

PHNOM PENH (July 1)-Led by the hard charging running of No. 8 Nico Alfius-Imerson,

Indonesia won its second match in the Asia Nations Series Division 6 Tournament this afternoon, as they bested Brunei 32-20.

The Indonesians quickly jumped off to a 14-0 advantage within the first ten minutes of the first half, on tries by Alfius-Immerson, both coming off five meter scrums, with flyhalf Kirk Arundale tacking on both conversions.

But Brunei refused to fold, answering back on a try by fullback Lim Quan in the fifteenth minute. Ivan Petrus added the conversion, making the score 14-7.

The rest of the first half see sawed back and forth, with no team able to take control. Petrus narrowed the score to 14-10 with a penalty kick in the twenty second minute, but Indonesia answered with Alfius-Imerson tip toeing along the sidelines on a 25 meter jaunt for his third try of the match.

Then Brunei answered right back just before the halftime whistle, as lock Mohammad Shafiee-Matali pushed his way in for a try, scoring off a maul at the thirty ninth minute, making the score 19-15.

Indonesia took control in the second half, as its forwards began to dominate play. Two penalty kicks by Arundale gave Indonesia some breathing room, with prop David Keefe providing the clincher with a try just ten minutes before the end. Arundale's conversion provided a 32-15 cushion.

Quan made the score respectable for Brunei, scoring the final try of the match with a minute to play.

Indonesia coach Nico de Ribas felt that playing three matches in five days took a toll on his team. "It was a difficult thing to manage," he said. "But I am proud how we turned things around after the loss (to Cambodia) on Tuesday. The last two matches have confirmed what I thought this team could do. Next time we play Cambodia, we will be ready for them, I promise you."

Photos of Indonesian team action in the tournament:

http://www.cambodianfederationofrugby.com/...indonesia%2006/

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/0...l/r79647827.jpg

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/0...r4073934425.jpg

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/0...r3267961068.jpg

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/0...r1788985429.jpg

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/0...r2061769235.jpg

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/0...r1524297999.jpg

Check out the "IRB Home" section photos http://www.irb.com/EN/Home for a picture of Women in Iran playing Rugby Union in their Hijabs.

Click onto the photos section and go to the IRB Home set of photos.

Wah.... congrats for indonesian team

Why rugby union is not as popular as rugby league in Australia. NRL scors are always in the headline of Aussie newspapers and TVs, but nobody cares about NRU..

It's a class matter in Australia.

Rugby League (which I actually think is the better game) is the average Eastern Seaboard Australian sport it is the sports played by the average Australian kid living in NSW, ACT or Queensland.

Rugby Union is a sport for the upper middle class & wealthy played in the Private schools & wealthier suburbs in every state in Australia (but of course a dominance in NSW, Queensland & ACT also) so has always had an exclusive status which has made it a sport not played by the average Australian thus Rugby League's popularity especially in NSW, ACT & Queensland.

More photos of Iranian Women playing Rugby Union:

http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog...=21182&only&rss

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadli...0710.B05&irec=4

July 10, 2006

Indonesia runner-up in Asian rugby tourney

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia finished second to host Cambodia during its debut at the inaugural Asian Rugby Championships in Phnom Penh recently.

Competing in the Asian Division 6 Championships, the country's 28-man squad was downed by eventual winner Cambodia (7-30) in its first match on June 27, before bouncing back to win against Laos (34-12) on June 29 and Brunei Darussalam (32-20) on July 1.

All teams played three full XVs matches in the competition.

A release from the Indonesian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) on Sunday said the team received a mounting support from Indonesians living in Cambodia, including Ambassador Nurrachman Oerip, during the five-day matches at Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium. The organizers said the support for Indonesia team "was immeasurable".

The ambassador also honored the squad with a formal reception at the embassy.

"It was an absolute honor to stand arm-in-arm prior to each match as the national anthem Indonesia Raya was heard and then go out onto the pitch wearing the national strip," said Fikri Al-Azhar from Jakarta.

"This is just the start for Indonesian rugby," said Steve Barber, IRFU vice-president and one of eight expatriates in the squad. "It's an experience I will always cherish as much as it was to earn an International Test Cap for Indonesia. There's a great future for rugby in Indonesia."

The Indonesian squad came from right across the archipelago and included Kirk Arundale, who traveled from England to join the team, and Dwikie Pinontoan from Dubai. Strong performances from Niko Alfius-Imerson and Daniel Kobak (West Papua); Daniel Nugroho and Fikri Al-Azhar (Jakarta); Markus Lahunde, Fentje Lala and Iksan Robo (Halmahera) proved Indonesia has the depth to make its mark on the international rugby arena.

Barber said it was also great to see some stalwarts of Indonesian Rugby, David Keefe, Rod Bridges, Warren Wilcox and Andries Smallberger lead the way for their Indonesian counterparts and pass on rugby knowledge to their younger teammates.

French coach Nico de Ribas led his team well and it was his call to reposition key players after the first round loss to Cambodia that proved vital in the team's wins against Laos and Brunei.

The team thanked sponsors -- Thiess Indonesia, Standard Chartered Bank, Digital 1, PAC and Canggu Club -- for making the tour possible. Barber said the continued development of junior and schools rugby in Indonesia would ensure the potential shown in Cambodia will continue to grow.

For more information on Indonesian Rugby Union go to the following website:
http://www.indonesianrugby.com/

That's shocking

probably also because of the different rules that makes rugby union matches seems slower. rugby league ones feel more 'flowing', and their championship in australia somehow feels more lively than rugby union's. but i think wallabies got more attention than kangaroos, between the two.