Banger Banter 1st Quarter 2010

Old Boys come out of woodwork to play exhibition game at club Family Day

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The Mots du Captaine Banger tricolor patois from our club captain

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Peter Burgess The club coach writes - YOU READ OK

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Andrew Tatam Tates looks back at the Banger year 2009

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The Ancient Quill

Grahame “Soi Dog” Fox message to the old boys

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Banger Ancients

Match report on recent Ancients match

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Lost and Found

Tom Kerr reports in from Northern Ireland

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Geoff the Chef The humble egg takes centre stage

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The Wall of Knowledge The Know-It-Alls that loiter around the Wall of Knowledge

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Clubhouse Wall Street exposed with Rick O’Shea

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My Whistle Dave Smith’s thoughtful insight on the recent Northern Hemisphere rugby internationals

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The Healthy Banger

Programming future rugby players

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The Other Half

Pictorial of wives and girlfriends at Banger Family Day

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Hit 2010 running...... I enjoyed the holiday season a little too much. As a result, I am a little late getting the Banter out.

The Banger Banter newsletter is now into its fifth year. A big thanks should go to the members who contribute their time and effort, to write a column for the newsletter each quarter.

When the club started the Banter in 1996 our goal was to simply publish a newsletter for our membership and in tandem, provide a advertising and promotion service to our club sponsors We have never not lost sight of the original goals. In fact we are going to do a better job this year. Cris Dunning, the club marketing manager, has made it very clear, he wants to up the anti and provide additional media support for our sponsors. Its part of the “Bang For Your Baht” sponsorship program Do yourself a favour and support our sponsors, whenever you can.

Remember, its their contribution that helps to keep the club on its financial feet.

The BistroBanger Privilege Card has been distributed to the membership at large. All you have to do is patronize Bistro 33, for the promotional advantages to kick in.

Check with Cris Dunning, if you haven’t received yours. Its well worth including this card in the arsenal of plastic in your wallet.

The Bangkok International Tens are in February. Eddie Evans will no doubt be looking for help to run the tournament. If he taps you on the shoulder try and make yourself available.

If you have anything you ever want to add to the Banter, please send your jottings to oldbangkokbangersrugby@gmail.com.

Its always welcome.

Editor

EDITORIAL : Jean “Jeff” Francois Klentzi, Andrew Tatam, Peter Burgess, Rick O”Shea, Geoff McKenna, Doug Ozanne, David Smith, Jeremy Fairtbrother, Cris Dunning, Graham Fox, Mike Laloli

CONTRIBUTORS : James Moss, Roberto Guolo Steve Mommaerts, Tom Kerr

PROOF READER : Roger Fitzgerald WEBMASTER : Jason Manning

PHOTOGRAPHY : Johnn Jaspers, Robert Brewer

BANGER BANTER is published quarterly by the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club for members, sponsors and friends of the rugby club. The Banger Banter is downloadable from the club web site. Members contribute all editorial and photography. The layout and design is provided by Ruck Graphics - a member of the Old Bangkok Banger Rugby Club

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Cette fin d’annee a été a l’image de la saison : Pleine d’evenements et d’emotions.

Il y a d’abord eu le fabuleux Anghor 10’s et les 4 jours passes a Phnom Pehn avec comme resultat le trophe de champion pour les Old Boys et une honorable place de finaliste de la plate pour les Colts.

Pour le reste, ce qui se passe « On tour » reste « On tour » mais dernierr estera memorable.

S’en est suivi le Bangkok 10’s ou la seule satisfaction a été d’avoir l’equipe ayant la plus grande moyenne d’age, ce qui malheureusement n’est pas un avantage dans une telle competition.

Ensuite quelques courageux Bangers ont comme l’annee derniere participer au Marathon de Bangkok en courant les 10.5 km.

Puis se fut le tour de notre traditionnel « Familly Day » avec nos amis Japonais et l’occasion pour notre tout nouvelle section « The Ancient » de rechausser les crampons et faire leur premier match de l’annee…

Quelques jours tard, il était temps de tous se retouver au bistro 33 pour le tradionnel « Christmas dinner » avant determiner la semaine suivante par la Carol Night au Red and White…

Ouf il est donc maintenant temps de se faire une pose avec les fetes de fin d’annee et je voudrai a cette occasion souhaite un joyeux Noel et surtout une tres bonne annees 2010 a tous les Bangers avec je l’espere encore plus de succes, de bonne sante, d’argent et de bonheur qu’en 2009.

See you soon at training..

Mind my French

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2009 WAS A GOOD YEAR for the Old Bangkok Bangers. Participating in the Thai Rugby Union (coming to grips with local refereeing interpretations) followed by the RBSC mini competition allowed us to show case our rugby prowess.

In reality, we played more rugby in 2009 than any of the previous years which is great for players & club members alike.

Our usual tournaments in Pattaya, Phuket and Phnom Phen & the Bangkok International 7’s went very well, with the club being competitive in all events (on & off the field). The 33 Cup has been “loaned” to the Southerners, but I am confident we can win it back in the very near future.

Club activities were well supported, with the Banger Family Day becoming a popular annual calendar event. The emergence of the “Banger Ancients” as a true rugby force to be reckoned with will send shivers down the spines of the opposition. Great to see some of our sponsors lining up to play.

The Banger Golf Day drew the usual suspects out of the woodwork. If the “Bloody Mary’s” 6.30 am at Wall Street didn’t sort you out at the start, the after match function at Wall Street certainly did! Well done to the organizers!

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The next major event on the Banger calender is the Bangkok International Tens in February.

This is a major tournament for us. As soon as training commences in the New Year, this event will be our focus.

Finally I wish to

personally thanks all our sponsors for their support during the year Believe me it is greatly appreciated The club could not function without you.

“You

Will Always Be A Banger”

SINCE THE LAST BANTER, we swash buckled our way through Phnom Phen and the Angkor International 10s. The club entered two teams the Colts and the Old Boys in the Coffin Dodgers division The silvertails were up first and ended up bringing home the silverware with some great rugby. Special mention must go to 67 year old Kevin who rampaged around the field all day and Bob - “the bowling ball” - who came away with Player Of The Tournament.

This is really a tough tournament and not a kick and giggle affair. The Colts laboured all weekend and settled up being runners up in the Plate losing out to my old club the Saigon Geckos.

Saturday night however was ours, as we took over the town dressed as pirates. On Sunday we had the obligatory river cruise and Kangaroo Court.

The following weekend, the Colts were playing in the Bangkok International 7's. Unfortunately, we could not field our best team as most of our younger and fitter players were unavailable.

Bangers being Bangers, our veterans stepped up to the occasion to fill in the gaps. We managed to win a game in this seriously competitive tournament.

No mean feat, when you realize that the average age of our team was 36 including two over 50 and several very close.

At the Banger Family Day we can boast a couple of firsts, with the Bangkok Patana Under 11's having their first ever competitive games of contact against the Bangkok Japanese and a Bangkok Lions selection.

Our second first, was the first inter club game of the "new" Ancients, led by the ever youthful Foxy. The arrival of the Ancients on the scene is fantastic new step for our club. This is an opportunity for all the older Bangers who still want a regular trot, to play without threat of injury.

Later in the afternoon there was a round robin of rugby 10's between the Banger Colts and the Bangkok Japanese. The Bangkok Japanese were using the games to prepare for a tournament in Singapore to be played between Japanese teams from around Asia.

The practise obviously paid off, as the Bangkok Japanese narrowly missed winning the tournament. A great social day once again for all of the Bangers and the Bangkok Japanese rugby 7

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fraternity young and old including wives, girlfriends and children.

Drawing the year to the close, was the annual Banger Carol Night, at Red and White skyline and the Banger Christmas Dinner, well attended by 50 Bangers who enjoyed the friendly hospitality of Bistro 33 and Wall Street.

During the last season we played more rugby than ever have before. We entered the Thai Rugby Union club competition for the first time, had seven weeks of competitive 15 a side in the Royal Bangkok Sports Club tournament and went on three great tours! Woof.

A huge thank you to all those who have played, supported or just followed our exploits.

Let's get ready to do it all again in 2010!

“You

Will Always Be A Banger” During his teenage years, Roberto played with Benetton Trevsio, the strong first division Italian club. The giant Benetton corporation, have a tradition of supporting minor sports in his native land, like basketball, volleyball and rugby. At the age of 21 for business reasons, he signed with another Trevsio club, Tarvisium.

Roberto chose rugby over football in his soccer crazed native country, simply because it was played across the street 200 metres from where he lived.

Over time he was asked to join in and has never looked back. In addition, eleven players from the local club were neighbors living on the same street.

Interestingly, he started his career as a halfback however, moved forward to the engine room. Roberto has come into his own and established himself as a efficient and clever hooker.

In his youth he has played along side notable Italian national team players, including the Dallan brothers, Bergamasco Mauro, Perugini Salvatore, Parisse Sergio, Alessandro Troncon, Zanni, Ongaro and Pavanello.

During his career, he has been fortunate enough to be coached by John Kirwan and Craig Green, both outstanding All Blacks who played and coached in Italy at the tail end of their careers.

Roberto represented Italy on 21 occasions as a junior, including playing a junior world cup qualifying round in Casablanca in Morocco 1976.

He started his working career with Replay the Italian jean manufacturer however was later head hunted by Benetton.

Roberto is now CEO of the Asia Pacific

met Roberto for lunch at Zanotti’s, the up scale Italian eatery on Saladaeng Road. Over my scallopini, Roberto proceeded to tell his rugby story.

ROBERTO WAS BORN THIRTY ONE YEARS AGO in Montebelluna, the medieval town in Northern Italy. He played at a his rugby at a very early age. By the age of sixteen, when family moved down the road to nearby Trevsio - 30 kilometers north of Venice - he already completed nine seasons of rugby.

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branch office in Bangkok and responsible for operations in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

When he arrived in Bangkok he was looking for a rugby club to join. It was indeed fortuitous, that he rocked up at Wall Street one evening during the last World Cup to watch France play New Zealand on the big screen. He met Tom Kerr as you do. Tom recognizes talent when he sees it and signed him up on the spot.

What Roberto really loves about the game is the camaraderie and friendship, all essential elements of the rugby family. As he points out, you can go anywhere on the planet, join a club and instantly have a plethora of international friends.

Peter Burgess describes him as a typical kiwi forward uncompromising and totally committed. That’s quite a wrap.

“He takes pride in his skills & it is evident he has played rugby at a high level and enjoys playing the game rather than watching.” says Peter He has certainly managed to bring some Italian “la dolce vita” style to the Bangers, both on and off the field.

Despite his modest years and manner, it is immediately apparent. Roberto exudes the kind of easy-smiling, charismatic confidence with absolutely nothing to prove.

He has reached maturity & evolved into a first grade player! The Bangers are indeed lucky to have him on board

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Caught up with James Moss, the fearless Banger utility forward.

Editor : James, pleased to have the opportunity to chat to you ?

James: The pleasure is all mine. Its been a while since I was interviewed for a sports magazine!

Editor : Lets get down to it. I know you are a busy man. When and where did you start to play rugby?

James: My first game was when I was around 8 years old (I think) in Nelson, New Zealand. One of those cold, bloody Saturday mornings that NZ is famous for. And yes, I was thrown into the forward pack!

Editor : Who were some of biggest influences in your early years?

James: Being originally from Wellington, it was the team as a whole and obviously Murray Mexted (is that how you spell his name?), Stu Wilson and Bernie Fraser. Cowboy Mark Shaw from the Manawatu was a legend given his fierce rucking. When I went to school in Christchurch, the Canterbury team had just won the Ranfurly Shield and Wayne Smith was a key player. Although I was pissed off with that, he was a pretty impressive player as was Robbie Deans who must have been one of the unluckiest players not to have played more for the All Blacks (because of a Wellington player, Alan Hewson).

Editor : I understand you are from Wellington ?

James Yep. Born in a place called Karori and went to “Karori Normal School” when I was young. Parents moved us to Nelson when I was 7 years old. In Wellington, I can vividly remember walking to school at a 90 degrees angle because the wind was so strong. Wellington is affectionately known as “Windy Wellington”.

Editor : You ended up going to Christ’s College in Christchurch a school with a great rugby tradition. Did you manage to crack the first fifteen?

James; Unfortunately not – played 1st fifteen rugby for my year group, but I suppose that doesn’t count. Only spent a year at Christ’s College and then got fed up with boarding life. Spent four years of my boarding schools having spent 3 years at a prep school.

Editor ; Did you ever feature in/or see any of those classic annual battles with Christchurch Boys High.?

James; I did. Going to Christs there were also battles with Boys High and the other schools there. We were known as Syrup Suckers (long story) and were pretty much hated by the other schools.

Editor : What is your greatest memory from your those days?

James. Actually, the cricket side was. I played representative cricket

for Canterbury with Chris Cairns as my captain (who went on to Captain NZ). We won the South Island championships. Snow skiing was also huge.

Editor : How do you think rugby has changed over the years James; Definitely got a lot more exciting as its so much faster. I remember thinking rugby league was better back then because of much more running. Now, no comparison.

Lineouts are better, no more placekicks and more tries (although kicking seems to have come back into the Banger Banter JANUARY - MARCH 2010

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game).

Editor : If you could change two laws, what would they be?

James: Reduce the drop kick to 1 point (from 3) and bring back rucking.

Editor : Do you feel that today’s rugby players play too much rugby?

James: No – that’s their job.

Editor : Moving on. What made you decide to come and work in Bangkok James; I was working in Hong Kong as a foreign exchange trader wanting to get into equities.

At the time people were looking for mandarin speakers at the entry level so I was told to come down to Thailand to get my feet wet and get some experience.

Editor : You have not hurt your career by coming to Asia. Do you think the same opportunities would have opened up for you had you stayed in NZ? James; Definitely not. The great thing about being in Asia is that this is the fastest growing part of the world and its also where 30% of the population are. The travel and different cultures have been fantastic. Needless to say if I was back in NZ I’d be on a sheep farm with me and my mate, the dog!

Editor : I keep hearing good things about the seaside shack you bought down on the Gulf of Siam ?

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James; Yes, I really should do the decent thing and throw a hog on a spit and invite all the Bangers around. Just worried about scrums being packed down after a few and digging up my lawn! It’s a nice little get-away though and will eventually get around to organizing a shin-dig down there.

Editor : Now married with children. Can’t help noticing you turn up with the tribe whenever you play on a weekend ?

James; Always nice to have a fan club! Yeh no its good and both of them are playing rugby so hopefully I’m a good role model there. Needless to say they never come over to the Red & White afterwards…

Editor : Do you have a nickname?

James; Mossy is obviously the one most people know me as. Chris Jack is mumbled occasionally.

Editor : Chris Jack ?

James; because of my good looks not my lineout skills Editor What has been one of your most embarrassing moments on the rugby field?

James; Playing fullback and having my kick charged down to lose the game in the final minute of play…

Editor : James you are a very passionate All Black supporter. Wear the heart on the sleeve stuff.

What do you think of the current AB’s ?

James; They are obviously a very good side with Richie and Dan the Man in there, but fairly ordinary without them. That is a little worrying, especially given that the Aussies are building a young team with the World Cup in mind. Always love watching the All Blacks play given their attractive brand of rugby Most times

“You

Will Always Be A Banger” they do us proud.

Editor What changes would you make if you were coach?

James; Kick out the two wingers and Nonu who I have never rated. McAlistair has been very disappointing as well upon his return. Never would have picked Stephen Donald – I would rather blood some young players there. Forward pack seems fine.

Editor : On another note, what are your pastimes away from the Club?

James; Getting back into golf as well as tennis.

A regular gym goer. Thinking of a return to cricket although it takes so much bloody time! Used to be a reasonable squash player so maybe that features at some point.

Editor : What was the last music album you bought or downloaded?

James; I actually bought 6 albums on the trot when I was in HK recently. (old albums that I had lost) – Police, AC-DC (Blow up you video), Alice Cooper, Cat Stevens, Lou Reed, Aerosmith Editor : I see you play a little golf What is you handicap?

James; About 20…even shot a birdie at the weekend

Editor : Name three people (past or present) you would like to have dinner with?

James; Prashant “Pompous” Nandha – great mate of mine from the Southerners days. We had a great time and some awesome memories. Dirty Doug. Third one difficult as I have come across many and varied people… probably have to say Vaughan McClear as we have known each other for a long, long time…

Editor : What can’t you live without and don’t tell me Marmite ?

James; BEER Editor : You are clearly still in love the game do you think you will playing in ten years?

James; I’d like to be although only if I was reasonably able to get around. Nothing worse than being a spectator when you are playing Editor : James Enlightening interview Thanks for your time. Now how about an ale James; OK…just a few then washed down with a tequila!

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It’s been a couple of months since the Banger Family Day and the inaugural run of the Old Bangkok Banger “Ancients”. The joints and aching muscles should have recovered by now and no doubt you are out training in preparation for the next game.

ALL INVOLVED HAD A GOOD TIME and I believe the “Ancients” should try to have a run on a semi-regular basis. The consensus is, to play all future game essentially by the same rules and with the same spirit enjoyed that day.

Your committee are 100% behind this venture and will do all they can to support the silly old men.

In their wisdom, the committee have also decided to book a slot at the International Bangkok Tens next April, so the Ancients can display their range of skills to the world.

Next step. We would like to create a list (young people call it a database) of all Banger members who qualify for membership of

the Ancients and who would like to be considered for a trot with the team.

You are qualified if you are over 50, have a medical certificate for “piles”, on chemotherapy or any other body disability that advanced age enhances.

If you believe you may qualify, send your personal details to Soi Dog at foxymoronbkk@gmail.com You will need include your full name - in English - age, rugby history, inside leg measurement, disclose all medical disabilities and of course a small donation to FOXFAM. It is clear that some of the older Bangers are not treating their bodies as temples! We really need to see more of us turn up for training on a Sunday afternoon - a jog around the pitch, some touch (preferably before the showers) and a few beers after the session. This will ensure we are ready for any challenge on the paddock.

We start after the Christmas break. Selection for the “Ancients” will be as fierce, as the fish in the Queen Sirikit Park lake. Those that train will be the first selected come game day.

By the way, the committee intends securing medical sideline support for all games, certainly the official ones. But your attention to personal fitness, you know makes sense.

Until the committee is satisfied we have the right combination of attitude, spirit and respect for the rules of our game we will restrict games to the Bangers membership. When we are all satisfied, we will then consider inter club matches.

At all times, players involved in “Ancient” action, will be required to commit to the three fundamental of our game : • • •

Winning is only to be achieved at NO cost!

NO-ONE gets hurt!

We will EXCEL in hospitality.

Some of Ancients believe we can set the standards for “Very Old Boys” rugby worldwide if we can get it right here in Thailand.

That would be wonderful, if we can take that spirit to Cape Town next year. Generate a “pride” of new friends so to speak.

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A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO on the Banger Family Day to be exact, the “new” Old Bangkok Banger Ancients played an exhibition inter club match as part of the afternoons calender.

This match ordinarily would not have rated a lot of interest.

However on this balmy afternoon the entire club turned up to witness the occasion.

For those new Bangers to young to know, the Old Bangers were formed over a couple of beers at Wall Street a millennium ago.

All the founding members are still alive and are sprinkled around the planet. Two of the them proudly showed up for a trot on this afternoon.

Grahame “Soi Dog” Fox recently appointed by the committee to crank up Banger Old Boy rugby, did a great job generating some enthusiasm for the occasion.

Since the Banger Colts became the alpha team in the club, the grumpy older fellas felt they had been pushed to the sideline. Enough was enough was the call. “We must reclaim

our heritage. Lets hit the ground running, just like we use to do”.

The players that rocked up were divided into two teams. Their numbers bolstered by a couple of “youngsters” well below the qualifying age. Not quite in-keeping with the ethos of veterans rugby but it didn’t seem to matter.

Many of the old boys on show were around when the club first started. This call to arms dragged them out of bars from every corner of Thailand.

They turned up in droves with their copy boots, bandages, cotton wool, multi weave jock straps, 20 year old mouth guards and surfing shorts. No pressed strip or knife edge creases on the shorts here.

Come game time, after the pre game photo session the players cantered, not ran out on to the field The distinct aroma of old world liniment wafted in the breeze as the creak of limbs could Banger Banter JANUARY - MARCH 2010

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be heard around the paddock. And that was just the warming up.

740 years of rugby history turned up to play and surprised everyone with some imaginative rugby A couple of the guys displayed skills that this commentator thought were lost to the game forever.

Most of the players saw a chance for glory and keen to dispel the myth that they were over the hill. A slight exaggeration, but who is taking score.

The game was a series of rucks, mauls, spillages, collisions, sea gulling, missed tackles, crooked throw ins, stiff arms, deliberately slowed down play, hospital passes, uncontested scrums, fun, friendship and fraternity.

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One modern rule in the game that was abused a midge, was the interchange rule. Players were interchanging faster than they were running around the paddock.

Despite the copious substitutions, rugby was played at a gentlemanly pedestrian pace. As it should be.

Attacking forays were followed by an obligatory lengthy recovery period. By the end of the second period the participants from both sides were rapidly running out of gas.

We should however, not mock their effort. Most of them had not trained in years, so fitness was always going to be an issue. At the end of the day, the baby boomer generation were enjoying themselves and that’s what its all about.

The referee had a field day with the whistle and could have been charged with whistle and stoppage abuse.

Unfortunately, there was only one referee available on the day. The players just had to suck it in and tolerate his over zealous calls. But only just......

After the post game wind down and a lengthy post mortem on the match, both teams agreed to call it a draw.

When the dust had settled and the last beer downed, the general feeling was, the Banger Ancients nee Old Boys were back.

“You

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“You

I KNOW YOU HAVEN’T HEARD from me in a while but that’s because I was going through yet another change in my life.

You may think that I have gone through more transformations than Darwin’s entire theory of evolution but it’s actually only the fiftieth or so time I’ve pulled up sticks and moved on….that’s a lot for someone so young !!

No longer living in the shadow of the Twin Towers – Malaysia’s phallic statement to the world – I’m now back in Northern Ireland where the very mention of such symbols gets you an automatic call up to be a catholic priest.

I’m not going to dwell on my change of job or try to anticipate where I will be posted next. Rather I’d like to look back at one incident in particular this year that is every rugby players dreaded nightmare.

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The year has been full of sporting embarrassments.

So Tiger Woods got caught having his balls wiped by somebody other than his caddy. And Andre Agassi has revealed how he was able to reach those very lofty slams ……… he was actually so high he couldn’t have missed.

I won’t even mention Harlequins, Schalk Burger, Scottish rugby (always a good bet) or Trevor Day (call it a shot in the dark but I’m sure at least one ridiculous thing happened to him this year).

These highly publicized downfalls don’t compare to what happened to me last August when I turned out to play in an in-house friendly with my club the Selangor Dogs in Kuala Lumpur.

As with all such games two teams are picked randomly. The group of more than 30 players was quickly whittled away until, ignominy of ignominies, I was LAST TO BE PICKED. The ultimate humiliation of every players career. To add insult to injury they even picked the subs before me, and a one-eyed winger, a female prop and, insult of insults, a 14 year old Scottish schoolboy.

I tried to laugh it off desperately looking for signs that it was all a mickey take conspiracy. Sadly not. Yes, my career has now got to that stage. It will happen to you all (if it hasn’t happened already).

Where do you find counsellng for this sort of thing in the modern professional era? The Wall of Knowledge? I know it would never happen at the Bangers. Not just because they wouldn’t want to see me cry again.

PS I did actually get to play in the game and scored two tries, one for each of the twin towers.

“You

Will Always Be A Banger”

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Spending my time in Bangkok in 2007 and 2008 allowed me to play with a fantastic group of guys who also play some damn good rugby. They play rugby the way it is meant to be played with heavy emphasis in the forwards and using the backs when the space is there.

The Bangers leave it all on the field and then turn it up a notch at the social. Truly one of the best rugby clubs to ever throw a social event. They tour like no one else. To be on tour with the Bangers is something every rugby player should get to do.

At the end of 2008 I was transferred to our Manila office and have been living there and now play for the Manila Nomads. They too are another classic example of rugby done the right way. The club is made up of mostly expats from around the world with a solid representation from the great rugby nation of America.

The transition from Banger to Nomad was easy since they both play the same style of rugby. I would like to see these two clubs build a stronger camaraderie in 2010 and play each other on some friendly tours back and forth.

There are plenty of ex-Nomads on the Bangers now. For about 6 months of 2009 I had the honor of being captain of the Nomads as our true skipper was recovering from injury and traveling out of the country.

It was great experience and something I will remember fondly after my competitive playing days are over. Thankfully he is back from injury and I can just focus on playing now.

I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN ASIA since 2007 and truly enjoy my time over here. Coming from Fort Myers located in South Florida there are some stark differences in the two regions. I come from the place that most old people go to spend their final years.

South East Asia is alive and full of life compared to Florida.

I played my rugby in Florida, with the Naples Hammerhead RFC for 10 years. This was good experience and prepared me well for coming to Bangkok and Manila and playing with these two high level clubs.

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I received a great honor with the Nomads at our recent awards night this year. I was voted Clubman of the Year for 2009. I feel honored to receive that award from my peers as there are many deserving members.

I will be spending some time back in the USA at the end of the year but am looking forward to my return to Asia in early 2010 and another solid year of rugby. I plan to spend a lot of weekends in Bangkok so if the Bangers will have me, I would love to keep playing with them for 2010. Looking forward to the next great Bangers tour.

“You

Will Always Be A Banger”

DURING THIS BUSY TIME of the year it’s easy to let your basic nutrition requirements go to pot. One food that can help to get you through those busy times are eggs.

Eggs are very nutritious. The average weight of a hen’s egg is around 60 grams. The shell weighs about 12% of the total weight of the egg and is made up of a calcareous, porous substance which is pervious to air, water and odors, which makes them particularly susceptible to pick up unwanted odors and flavors.

The white of the egg weighs about 58% of the total weight of the egg and is a thick, viscous, transparent liquid that contains a high percentage of water and some mineral salts. The egg whites are soluble in cold water but will congeal at around 70 degrees C. The yolk of the egg weighs about 30% of the total weight of the egg and is an opaque, soft substance that will set at about the same temperature as the white. The yolk is composed of albumins, fats and mineral substances including a ferruginous pigment called haematogen which gives it its color.

Dietetically, the fresh egg is almost a complete food. It contains easily assimilable proteins, fats, vitamins A, B, D and E (only vitamin C is not present), an appreciable amount of iron and a number of mineral salts such as magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc, chlorine, iodine and fluorine. Also, the egg being a bearer of life, contains precious oligoelements.

The average 60 gram egg will consist of about 7 grams of shell, 35 grams of whites and 18 grams of yolk which, all together, will contain about 39 grams of water, 7.5 grams of albumen, 5.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of salts and will give you about 70 calories.

The composition of eggs varies with the breed of the hen and its diet. The diet will have a significant influence on the flavor of the egg which studies have shown that the best eggs come from free – range hens which have access to the right proportion of grains and vegetable matter.

Soft boiled eggs and scrambled eggs are the easiest to digest, omelets and fried eggs come in second and hard boiled eggs are the ones that take the longest to digest.

Eggs are not only a complete food but they are very versatile as well. They can be simply served at breakfast time, used in any number of recipes for lunch or dinner and of course the myriad of desserts, cakes and cookies would not be possible without the humble egg.

In one of the reference publications I have there are 979 recipes given for eggs alone, not including cakes, cookies or any other concoction that an egg will end up in.

My personal favorite for eggs is Steak, Eggs and Chips. Boring you might think! Well, the eggs should be soft poached then placed in a bowl. Add a little butter, salt and black pepper and roughly mix it all together then pour it on top of the steak ( Instead of gravy)

Banger Banter JANUARY - MARCH 2010

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Will Always Be A Banger”

RUGBY UNION IS SUPPOSED to be straight forward.

In rugby, we create for ourselves small, self-contained worlds idealized and simplified versions of life. We have clearly defined players, rules, goals, and results. Every match is short and small enough to get your mind around and make sense of.

The point of rugby is to create a fair start, with equal opportunities for anyone who chooses to play. Rugby is intentionally an escape from the unclear conflicts of real life.

Given this idealized world, there are adults out there who don’t play and whose only escape is boning up rugby and sports trivia.

Enter the world of the Know-it-alls. The Wall of Knowledge has it share. No doubt you know some of these members, pretenders or have friends that fit this category.

They are ones that think they are in the enviable position of being able to demonstrate there vast knowledge on a wide array of rugby and sport topics.

Do people enjoy hearing about these important facts? Not really. Their eyes generally roll, followed by a mild protest of “Would you just @#$% shut up?!”

A Wall Street Knowit-all’s smugness can at times grate and get on the nerves.

The benefit of being a Know-it-all is that other people, don’t in fact, know all. Wall Street Knowit-alls believe that it is their obligation to enlighten people about the gaps in their knowledge with interesting rugby and sport triva.

It helps if you have a good sense of humour when you are in the company of a Know-it-all.

Fortunately, many of the patrons on the Wall of Knowledge don’t take these pearls of knowledge seriously.

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They tend to stand their ground and dispute the point.

Of course that is exactly what a Know-it -all want you to do, so he can really ram the facts down your throat.

And of course, if you are ever wrong, Know-it-alls will be wearing their best I-told-you-so grin.

Even baristas at upmarket coffee bars around Bangkok these days are in on the act. Order a “large” latte. “ “latte yai?” they ask in a condescending way that both confirms my order and gently reminds me that they don’t serve something as gauche and bourgeois as a “large.”.

Albert Einstein once said, “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds”.

Maybe he was right.

“You

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“You

Clubhouse

Rick O’Shea

ONCE AGAIN THE OLD BANGKOK BANGERS distinguished themselves by winning the Old Codgers tournament at the Angkor Ten’s. The Colts came away empty handed this time around.

The Bangers also entered a Colt side in the Bangkok International Sevens. Unfortunately, several top players were unable to play because of other commitments.

Coach Peter was forced to call on the older Bangers to play against the young guns from visiting teams from overseas. Congratulations to Keith Coljohn who at 52 played against the New Zealand 7’s side. Well done.

Wall Street sponsored the McDermott Aboriginal Development Team at the Bangkok International Sevens, who could not tour if a sponsor wasn’t found.

This team acquitted themselves well, beating a strong Kiwi team in the semi finals, but going down narrowly to the another strong NZ team, Carlton Grammar.

This quarter saw the annual Old Bangkok Banger golf tournament. Loads of fun. Golf how it should be played.

There was some stanzas of good golf but at the end of day, the numerous cans of beer on the 18 hole journey took its toll on all.

I attended the Banger Christmas party this year. What a great evening. Started at Bistro 33 and then migrated down to Wall Street late in the evening. Plenty of bonhomie and good cheer here.

I had my birthday recently, so I put on a party. Good turnout of Bangers. Something snapped, because I put free beer on all evening. Free beer equals a long night.

Enough said.

The Bangers are entered for the tour to Cape Town to next years Vintage Rugby Tournament. Anybody interested in this trip of a lifetime please inform me. Still space available.

The Shanghai Shaggers were in town recently for a round of pool, darts and golf. Enjoyment was the main ingredient and this year was no exception. For those that don’t know, the Shaggers were first team that the Bangers ever played. Eight years ago !!!

We blanked them in the golf 8 to zip and narrowly beat them in the other two disciplines. Always a good weekend.

Good to see the All Blacks going through the tour unbeaten in the tests they played in the Northern Hemisphere Bit of work to do before the World Cup Cannot wait for the television rugby to start. Six Nations or Super 14.

Take your pick 25

Banger Banter JANUARY - MARCH 2010

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“You

Will Always Be A Banger”

I ENJOYED THE INTERESTING AND EXCITING AUTUMN international rugby series at the end of the year. Ran into many of the Bangers at some stage, at either Wall Street or Bistro 33.

I’m sure you’ll all agree that the series asked all kinds of questions. Not just for the Northern Hemisphere sides (maybe one or two for those in the South too!) but the referees as well. It leaves us wondering what the 6 Nations competition will bring us in 2010.

There have been rumblings from rugby pundits including the RFU’s Director of Elite Rugby; Rob Andrew, to the IRB concerning the current laws, which in his opinion “are killing the game as a spectacle”, It raises concerns of yet another tranche of Law changes, however I’m pleased to be able to advise that the IRB have confirmed that there will be no Law changes before the 2011 World Cup, despite widespread alarm at regulations governing the ruck and tackle areas.

And the prospect of forcing change before 2011 is bleak because despite the promise of a review starting next year, alterations between now and 2011 can only be made for safety reasons.

As things stand, the tackler at the breakdown provided he then gets on to his feet, is allowed to compete for the ball.

Critics allege this has swung the balance too far in favour of the defending side, with referees more likely to now penalise the attacking team for ensuing ruck

infringements such as holding on. This, it is argued, has led to sides kicking away ball for fear of being caught in possession and so made Test match rugby less of an entertaining spectacle for fans.

But defenders of the current set-up insist that teams that want to attack can still attack, citing New Zealand’s 39-12 win over France and Australia’s 33-12 victory against Wales as evidence.

Andrew, is worried that the lack of entertainment is already having an impact on supporters. “I’m very concerned that attendances will start to decline unless changes are made. “I think we’re seeing it already,” he said.

including some of the coaches who have said they’re turning the TV off themselves when they’re watching matches”.

“There is a concern within the game that you’re better off without the ball than with it, which isn’t what rugby should strive for. The risk in keeping the ball in hand is too large. There are some fascinating stats from this year’s Tri-Nations, showing how little time South Africa had the ball yet they still won the tournament”.

I don’t know if you agree with his comments? Perhaps they were just talking about England!!

Looking forward to 2010

“You just have to talk to people in the game, Banger Banter JANUARY - MARCH 2010

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From a new virtual reality training programme created at Queen’s University Belfast.

Jeremy Davidson, Forwards’ Coach with Ulster Rugby said: “Working alongside the researchers in Psychology at Queen’s has provided us with a very useful visual coaching tool that can be used to develop a player’s peripheral vision. This is a vital aspect of a player’s game and we are looking forward to it improving decision making for our players in a real match setting.”

Team members from Ulster rugby have been working with researchers in the School of Psychology at Queen’s on a range of virtual training scenarios that test players’ perceptual skills.

Dr Cathy Craig, a Visual Perception who collaborated with Adidas world class goal-keepers’ curved free-kicks in players in an reality provides exciting new way of exploring and understanding human behavior.

The advantages of this technology are that unlike playing a video game on a desktop computer, or athlete is totally realistic simulated By presenting images in a head and tracking head the user’s viewpoint is updated giving a 360

Senior Lecturer in has previously and top professional to study perception of football. Immersing interactive virtual an

normal the rugby player immersed in a environment. stereoscopic mounted display movements, automatically degree virtual experience.

This means that the user becomes totally absorbed in their virtual environment encouraging them to interact as they would in the real world.”

The players are fitted with a ‘backpack’ of sensors and don a helmet-like visor known as a head mounted display through which a series of 360 degree virtual scenarios are displayed.

Research is concerned with identifying the key events that influence decisions made by players on the pitch.

For the researchers this type of research provides valuable insight into expertise and how visual info is used in the decision making process So far Ulster rugby players have taken part in two studies

Banger Banter JANUARY - MARCH 2010

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