SEOUL SURVIVORS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Maybe Next Weekend
IN BRIEF: • Training at Jamwon rugby pitch scheduled for 10am Saturday. Make your own way there or meet Kurt outside Itaewon Paris Baguette at 9:15am. Please be there before 10:00am and ready to go on the dot. Remember to send your apologies if not available.
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Survivors Take On The Philippines By Brian Bruckman
• There will be free beer for the Scrooge Pub relaunch from 5pm till 12am this Friday night. It is also Aisea’s farewell, so be there to support Mr. Ken and see off the big man. • Dragon Boat Race: July 11, we need a handful more guys and a small photo from everyone participating to make this happen. See Kurt at traiing.
PITCH DIRECTIONS:
•
Leave
Apgujeong
Station
through Exit 6. Walk straight down two blocks and turn right between Hyundai High School and Shinsa Middle School. Walk to the end of the street and turn left following the highway embankment until you can enter the River Park area about 50 metres ahead on your right through the tunnel. Look for the rugby posts.
CONTACTS:
•
Ted Gray (Club Captain) 011-287-9558
•
Roddy Bancroft (Manager) 016-494-7363
•
Simon Walsh (Pitch Captain) 010-9417-9554
•
Kurtis Taogaga (Media) 010-7263-5878
•
Rawiri King (Coach) 010-8698-4982
•
Justin Jackson (Social Officer) 010-5465-6122
Long time friend and head coach of the Philippine National Rugby Football Club, Matt Cullen asked our own dear dictator, Ted Gray if the Seoul Survivors would be keen for a game against his squad. The main thrust of this friendly game would be for the coach to see his players in real action for selection purposes. (I personThe Survivors will hope to replicate form from the ally think that Matt was imManila10s played earlier this year pressed with the Seoul Survivor performance in the Manila 2009 tournament, where we as a team ora of emails and vigorous assured anyone with more gained the respect of many recruiting, a thinner squad than game in them can have as teams who watched our game, expected has signed up and much as they can take! judging from the hardy applause will take the field come June Our team will be a very given to us after our final game). 20th 2009. Three weeks before mixed team of youth, experiTed Gray agreed and sent out the game was set to be played, enced, very experienced and emails recruiting players to play Matt Cullen told Brian Bruck- guys who have not played for in this once in a lifetime oppor- man (a long time Seoul Survi- us in a long while but have tunity. Quick to answer were vor) that there will be two stayed true to the “Once a some of the older “seasoned games or more for us to enjoy Survivor always a Survivor!” veterans” of the club. They when we came, followed by a mantra. True, we are missing knew from experience that this BBQ party with the local expat many of our Kiwi brethren opportunity seldom arises and team and of course the team and I am not sure if any Ausshould be taken very seriously. we are set to play. At that time, sies are even stepping upto From the very beginning we had the role call for more players the plate, but our team will be a small crew of players but as was mandated and yet another aptly represented by Canaditime progressed interest grew intensive drive was sent forth ans, Americans, South Afrifrom the younger generation in to recruit. Some of the new cans, some Kiwis and a token our ranks. With Yellow Sea Cup guys picked up the charge and Brit. Just wish there were commitments many players had will be joining us there. Sens- more! Look for our team to to make a choice as to what and ing a lighter than expected have some excellent talent in where they can play. The result turnout, another team has been the backs and as always a is many fine rugby players will put together to play the second strong performance in the have to simply live vicariously national squad taking the bur- forwards. Win or lose, this is through those brave enough to den of two full games off the an opportunity one should not travel to Manila. With a pleth- Survivors. However, I was miss.
China Pub Company Yellow Sea Cup Survivors Make Statement Against Rams By RJ Karas eeding a result desperately to stay in contention for China Pub Company’s 2009 Yellow Sea Cup, the Seoul Survivors took to the pitch against the Guangzhou Rams and did not disappoint. From the opening whistle the Survivors seemed to have an inherent motivation that many long-time Hanbok supporters had never seen before. It was almost as if the Rams had kicked the Survivors puppy. In the aftermath of the 71-0 dismantling of Guangzhou speculation was running rampant ... what was the spark that ignited Seoul’s offensive outburst? Some supporters pointed to the overall team effort as key to the resounding vic-
tory, “All of your efforts were mighty! Cohesion in the backs rewarding outstanding forward play ... it was a pleasure to watch”, said Survivors Treasurer Les Edwards. The captain for the day, Richard Jarvis, said simply, “we finally managed to pull all the individual talent together into a great team performance.” One unnamed supporter also credited the Survivors Social Chairman for his efforts to be as hospitable as possible to the visiting Rams the night before the match. Looking at the standings it is clear what has spurred the current resurgence of the Hanboks. Although Seoul leads the five-team tournament in points scored with 79 through two matches the more telling statistic is that the Survivors are just as strong
Prop Justin Jackson charges against the Rams defence with Jacob Leonard (obscured), Richard Jones and David Judge
Yellow Sea Cup Standings 18/06/2009 Played
Shanghai Hairy Crabs Seoul Survivors Beijing Devils Guangzhou Rams Macau Rugby Club
without the ball as they are with it. At the midpoint of the 2009 campaign the Hanboks have allowed a staunch ten points to its opposition. The Survivors are clearly taking pride in their defense and creating points from the mistakes that their opponents are making. With the full allotment of points in hand the Survivors now only three points away from the top of the table. With two matches still to come the Yellow Sea Cup is by no means out of reach. Although Seoul does not control its own destiny there is nothing but sunshine on the horizon as the Survivors head into beach season eager to stay fit and focused on bringing home China Pub Company’s 2009 Yellow Sea Cup.
A rare sight: a Rams player in possession shadowed closely by David Judge and Simon Walsh (in tights) W
D
L
PF
PA
PD
BP
Pts
2
2
0
0
50
30
20
1
7
2
1
0
1
79
10
69
2
5
2
1
0
1
68
31
37
1
4
2
1
0
1
17
77
-60
0
3
2
0
0
2
36
102
-66
1
1
Player Profile Brave Colts Go Down In Debut Name:
Jean-Baptiste Paquereau
Nickname:
JB
Position:
Flanker; Hooker
Birthdate:
04/07/1976
Hometown: Arvillard, France The man from the French Alps, JB, injured his shoulder early in the season. Despite his misfortune, he has continued to support the club closely and, presently on the road to recovery, will look to claim some game time over the coming months. First rugby memory: Jean-Pierre Rives bleeding after completing the Grand Slam in 1981 during the five nations tournament. What are you doing in Korea? I’m an engineer for Bosch Diesel System, in charge of making sure Korean cars exported to Europe meet new emissions standards. Favourite thing about Korea: The rugby family friends, shops witch are open 24 hours a day and the safety in Seoul.
By Kurt Taogaga The SSRFC Colts had their first hit out against a Korean high school squad in a 10s match as the curtainraiser for the England Counties vs. KRU President’s XV. The Colts fought bravely with many novices to rugby among their ranks. Backed by a good number of supporters including family, friends and Survivors, the Colts were excited to put their training into practice. Disappointingly, bthe Colts weren’t able to gain a level playing field from the very beginning. Ranging in age from 14 to 17, the young Survi-
vors faced off against players that were much older and more physically mature some who were already 20 years old. Despite going down 36-12, Captain Louis Galtié was satisfied with the inexperienced Colts’ performance stating, “We focused on our strong points and put up a good fight”. He noted that although the Koreans were larger they shied away from the physicality of the match. The Colts’ two tries were scored by lofty Centre Florent Darrou.
The first one coming off an Antoine Perennou chip kick and the second after a skilful draw-and-pass movement with Galtié that ran almost the length of the field. Coach Dan Grover also expressed satisfaction with the efforts of his young charges expecting this match to lead to more games and a better schedule for the Colts in Korea. The Colts are now taking a break for the Summer.
Least favourite thing about Korea: I will never understand why Koreans have Jake Attawell restarts the match for the Colts to domesticate each wild part of their country. I hate stairs when I am climbing What do you like most at train- How would you like to improve the mountains. yourself off the rugby field? ing? What do you enjoy about your posi- Meet my friends, have a break Big program! I have to be more tion? When I’m playing flanker, definitely from the reality during a couple of tolerant towards my host country. I would like to improve my English tackles. When I’m playing hooker, scrums. hours. skills. I have to save money to What don’t you like about your posi- What do you like least at train- repair my chalet in the French Alps. After that you are all weling? tion? I’m getting older, so I’m sometimes It is too short, never enough. I come to visit me. wounded during contacts as I am currently. would like at least one more trainIf you were to die tomorrow, ing during weekdays. what would you be rememDo you have a good luck charm/ritual What are your interests out- bered for? for games? The love my parents gave me all Unfortunately, I am not superstitious. I side rugby? life long and the unforgettable have also to break a rumour: even if we Mountain climbing, ski, surf. moments I had with my wife since are French, we don’t drink wine before a I met her 15 years ago. game (not always)! Do you have a favourite quote or saying? What do you miss most about home? My mountains, the Genepi flowers, cheese “On the first ruck, the opposite team has to talk with the moles”. and French wine.
Survivors News Page Counties Match A Fizzer Bucket BBQ Farewell Aisea By Kurt Taogaga The England Counties match against the KRU President’s XV came and went the night before our fixture against Guangzhou. The game was all over as a contest by the twenty minute mark. The Koreans, shorn of their top line players due to Japanese club commitments, went down without so much as a whimper against a slick, battle-hardened England Counties outfit. Down 61-0 at halftime, the much
hoped for Korean fight back never materialised and the Counties boys blew out the score to 108-10. Korea’s only try came from winger Choi Si-Won in the 60th minute. The crowd was the largest in Korean rugby history thanks to some great promotion, especially to the expat population who turned out in force. However, supporters would have been disappointed not to have seen a better and more competitive match from the hosts.
The Survivors Bucket BBQ took place on Sunday and drew a good number of guys many of whom were still recovering from the revelry of the night before. The weather held out for the most part and all had an enjoyable day swapping tales and eating good grub. Big thanks to Dan Grover and partner Emilie who were kind enough to host the event at their hillside pad. Thanks also to Nathan Farren, Roddy Bancroft and Tim O’Connor who turned up earlier to prepare the food and tend the brai.
Veteran Survivor Aisea Hoeft is departing the Peninsula for greener pastures. Although his official Survivor farewell was at the Guangzhou aftermatch, his last night in Seoul will coincide with Scrooge Pub’s relaunch tonight. After their Korean experience, Aisea, wife Charlotte and newborn son Jagger will recuperate in Florida before heading to their new posting in Italy. All the Survivors wish Aisea and family our warmest wishes on their new journey. Aisea’s farewell drinks kick off at Scrooge at 6.30pm.
Pub Golf Fails To Fly, Fun Still Had By Justin Jackson Well, The Seoul Survivors once again attempted to play a round of pub golf on Saturday June 13th. Things got off to a rocky start with only two people showing up at the proper time and every one else showing up when they felt like. Luckily, people still dressed up so hearts were in the right place. After much deliberations, pub golf was cancelled and the idea was put forth to go to Jin's opening party and drink free beer. This was put forth in a vote, ratified and decided to be agreeable by all parties. Beer was drunk, tables were
danced on and much fun was had by all. And thus ended the First Annual Survivors’ Pub Golf Adventure; it died before it ever got a chance to live. To date, the Seoul Survivors are 1 for 4 in pub golf attempts. That’s one success and 3 failures. Maybe Next Weekend!
Ed: How can an event where there’s free booze, table-dancing, dress-up and someone drinking their own blood ever be considered a failure?
Survivors meet at Scrooge in movie dress-up for Pub Golf
Credits Editor: Kurt Taogaga Co-editor: Ali McCannell Contributing writers: Brian Bruckman, Justin Jackson, RJ Karas and Kurt Taogaga Photos: Manila10s - Paul Mancktelow; Guangzhou Match - Louis Galtié; Pub Golf - ick eumann