SEOUL SURVIVORS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Maybe Next Weekend
IN BRIEF: • Training at Jamwon rugby pitch scheduled for 10am Saturday. Be ready to go on the hour sharp. If you can’t attend training please inform Ra or Simon. V O L U M E
• Next Sunday, the 13th of September, a 10s tournament will be held at Jamwon. The Survivors should be entering two teams. Head down and support the boys. • The Oakwood Seoul Survivors are now live on the ‘Rugby In Asia’ website. The website aims to bring together news and information on rugby from all over the Asian continent. Head to the link below to get the latest on the Survivors. http://www.rugbyinasia.com/ korea/index.php • Pitch directions are now on page 4.
CONTENTS: Page 2: REME and City RFC match reports. Page 3: Player Profile - RJ Karas Page 4: Pitch directions. Farewell Justin Jackson.
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I S S U E
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Ted Gray (Club Captain) 011-287-9558
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Roddy Bancroft (Manager) 016-494-7363
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Simon Walsh (Pitch Captain) 010-9417-9554
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Kurtis Taogaga (Media) 010-7263-5878
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Rawiri King (Coach) 010-8698-4982
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Justin Jackson (Social Officer) 010-5465-6122
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Jordan Smigelsky (Community Project Manager)
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Richard Jarvis (Website)
S E P T E M B E R
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Survivors Go 2-0 for Summer By Kurt Taogaga The Survivors racked up two consecutive wins at ‘Fortress Jamwon’ to whitewash the Summer touring teams to Korea. The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME RFC) and City RFC from Hong Kong were both dispatched in successive outings giving the ‘Seoul Men’ a confidence boost going into the latter half of the 2009 season. With two Yellow Sea Cup matches remaining, the Survivors remain slightly off the pace against the Shanghai Hairy Crabs and will look to reproduce their best form to The Survivors forwards dominated at the breakdown giving the take back the coveted YSC title. halves time and space to operate effectively. Here, Jonathon Decesari looks on as Nathan Atkins readies a pass to the backline. Match reports on page 2
Colts Run Past Hong Kong
CONTACTS:
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By RJ Karas The Seoul Survivors’ Colts squad impressed over the weekend by putting 69 points on the board against the Colts team from City RFC of Hong Kong. It was evident from the start that Seoul would have the advantage in the forwards however what was unknown was how dominating Dan “Sanchez” Grover’s game plan would be. Lead by the exceptional play of their Captain, Louis Galtié, manchild number eight, Florent Darrou, and Alban Fidry, the Colts’ feisty scrum-half, City RFC were no match for Seoul’s under-18 squad.
Though there were many fine runs during the 80 minute affair, including a blinding run by Colts’ fly-half Jake Attewell, try -of-the-match has to go to “Flo” as he dragged three of his oppo-
nents into the in-goal area before touching down one of his three tries. With many of the Colts’ not even seventeen, the future looks bright for the Seoul Survivors’ Colts squad.
The Seoul Survivors Colts and City RFC U/18s.
REME Falls To Survivor Ambush By Kurt Taogaga Jetlagged, unaccustomed to the heat and at the end of a hectic tour of the Shaky Isles, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) were picked off in a tight match 24-22, by a Seoul Survivors team who are playing themselves into some nice form, in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Jamwon Rugby Pitch in Apgujeong, Seoul on Saturday the22nd of August. The REME RFC squad landed in Korea on the Thursday before the match on their way to back to England after a frantic ten day tour of New Zealand. To their disappointment, REME produced mixed results Down Under coming away with one win from three games. After failing to secure a game against Korean opposition and seeing an opportunity for redemption against a ‘social’ expat side, REME RFC Manager Major Ewen Cameron contacted the Survivors who were more than happy to take the opportunity to play
The Survivors lineout focuses on the incoming ball. some genuine contact rugby. From the outset, the physical differences between the two teams were clearly evident. The REME forwards were tall and physically imposing, their backs appearing to possess genuine skill and pace; a fact that hadn’t gone unnoticed by the locals. However, the Survivors have shown themselves to be no pushovers in 2009 and player/coach Rawiri King’s stirring pre-match
Survivors vs. City RFC By Kurt Taogaga For the second weekend in a row, the Oakwood Seoul Survivors treated their legion of vocal supporters to a magnificent day of rugby on the banks of the Han River. The Survivors made much of defeating both summer touring sides - REME and City RFC - in consecutive weeks and delivered on that promise emphatically with a 67-5 drubbing of the Hong Kong tourists.
Newcomer Jeff Barg weighs his attacking options.
speech refocused attention away from the opposition and on to the quality of the players’ individual and team performances on the field. Immediately, it was apparent that the pre-match gee-up had had some affect on the expats. Seoul got off to a great start dominating the larger REME pack in the breakdown and scoring first through number eight John Goddard
The first half was mostly characterised by untidy ruck play stopping the flow of the game as the relatively inexperienced visitors used their hands and the larger Survivors forwards were penalised for diving in. The penalties piled up resulting in Vice-Captain Richard Jarvis being dubiously binned for stomping midway through the first half but even down to 14 men the Survivors line remained intact. The Seoulites controlled the flow of the game and showed a lot of composure in attack but still couldn’t fully break down the City defence. Going into halftime the locals were ahead 14-0, through a Tim O’Connor double, and City were still very much in with a chance to ruin the Seoul rugby community’s day. The Survivors emerged postbreak reinvigorated and began turning the heat up on City, who eventually conceded 53 points in the second spell. Some nice
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clearing by the Seoul forwards and improved organisation of the ruck runners immediately gave the backs good ‘front foot’ ball. Second five O’Connor took full advantage adding another five-pointer to the brace he scored in the first half. Other highlights included replacement back Justin Painter supporting well to take away a two-try haul, RJ Karas’ barrelling charge to score under the posts and a long-range effort by burly reserve centre Kurt Taogaga. The home team barely allowed City to get their hands on the ball the entire match and the scoreline would have remained a whitewash if not for an enterprising City kick and chase in the dying minutes leading to their solitary consolation try. To their credit, the much smaller City defended bravely to the very end and their ef(Continued on page 4)
Player Profile
Match Reports continued... (Continued from page 2)
Name:
RJ Karas
Nickname: The Best Cook In China Position: Loose Forward Birthdate:
07/12/1984
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee Hailing from Nashville, the Music City, RJ Karas has cemented his role as a starting loose forward in the Survivors pack. He has impressed long-time supporters and fellow teammates with his direct and aggressive running style. Leaving to study in Australia early next year, Karas can rest assured of his mighty contribution to team spirit on and off the field. First rugby memory: A rainy Tuesday night my first week at University, was hooked immediately. What are you doing in Korea? Teaching. Favourite thing about Korea: The food. Least favourite thing about Korea: There's trash everywhere ... would it really be that hard to put some trash cans on the street?
Survivors vs. REME after a strong forward drive over the line. However, REME were determined not to play “catch-up” football and scored an unconverted try through their number 7 and Man-of-the-Match to remain within strike range of the Survivors. Goddard again featured prominently in Seoul’s next scoring movement, plucking the ball from the REME fullback’s wayward chip kick in his own in-goal area and chucking it on to fellow Englishman James Tucker to swan dive under the posts. REME again scored in the first half to bring the score to 14-12 at halftime to the home team. The difference between the two sides belonged to the boot of Seoul fullback Nathan Atkins who took the unorthodox choice of dropkicking all his attempts at goal to great
effect. After the break, Atkins nudged Seoul slightly further ahead through a penalty. However, REME rebounded yet again to dot down tying the scores at 17-17 midway through the second spell. Great physical forward play from the Survivors pack again saw them camped on the REME line and allowed loose forward debutant Sebastian Ibarra to pick up a try; duly converted by Atkins. As could be expected of a military outfit, REME kept their composure and hammered relentlessly at the Survivors defensive line until they finally breached in the dying minutes setting up a tense few moments as the REME kicker lined up his attempt. On target for most of its trajectory, the fullback’s knock
What do you enjoy about your position? The glory. Do you have a favourite quote or saying? What don’t you like about your posi- "How ‘bout that ride in? I guess tion? that's why they call it Sin City. Being blamed for everything. Hahaha. You guys might not know this but I consider myself a bit of Do you have a good luck charm/ritual a loner. I tend to think of myself for games? as a one man wolf pack. But when I shower before matches ... wash off the my sister brought Doug home I rust I suppose. knew he was one of my own. And my wolf pack, it grew by one. So What do you miss most about home? there were two of us in the wolf Friends and family. pack. I was alone first in the pack and then Doug joined in later. And What do you like most at training? six months ago, when Doug introPlaying league. duced me to you guys I thought, ‘Wait a second, could it be?’ And What do you like least at training? now I know for sure that I just Stretching ... it's boring. added two guys to my wolf pack. Four of us wolves, running around What are your interests outside the desert together in Las Vegas rugby? looking for strippers and cocaine. Huge baseball fan, general popular culture. So tonight, I make a toast."
elicited premature celebrations from REME until the last few metres as it curved wide letting the Survivors off the hook and giving them a narrow 24-22 win to start off the back end of the season in great fashion and go one up in the summer tour matches. Man-of-the-Match honours went to captain Simon Walsh for the Survivors. In the forwards, he was handily supported by John Goddard’s experience and Justin Jackson’s hard, direct running. The backs had little attacking opportunities but defended courageously typified through the efforts of Tim O’Connor and James Tucker. Thanks to Dickens Lounge for generously hosting the after-match.
How would you like to improve yourself off the rugby field? I start by brushing my teeth everyday. If you were to die tomorrow, what would you be remembered for? Hopefully for being a good guy but more than likely for my continuous inability to reel in the fish that I've got on the line ... if you know what I mean.
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Survivors vs. City RFC forts, especially in the first half, prevented a rampant Survivor squad from running up triple figures. So far this season the Survivors have had a tendency to start matches slowly but once the boys from Seoul hit their stride have shown that they are an extremely tough and, at times, clinical outfit. The Survivors’ current form sends a warning to their next two Yellow Sea Cup opponents – Beijing and Macau- that the talented yet underachieving side of the past few years is transforming itself one game at a time into a true force in Asian expat rugby. The Survivors rounded out an excellent day for Seoul rugby with the Korean National Women’s Team beating their City counterparts 10-5, and the Seoul Survivors Colts squad keeping their opposites scoreless 69-0. The Seoul Sisters also outclassed their City RFC opposition 74-5.
Jackson Is Leaving On A Jet Plane Survivor Justin Jackson is booking out of Korea. Jackson has been a core member of the squad for almost three years and has been at the heart of the team on the field. Off the field, he has been a constant presence at all Survivors social functions. Jackson leaves a legacy of hard running and hard drinking to all those that come after. Next Thursday, Justin is returning to the States to further himself through study/ build a city entirely dedicated to alcohol/become a janitor in an Iowa high school. He will be sorely missed by everyone including Mr. Ken’s wallet. On the flip side, the Survivors can now look forward to interference-free spadework at all of Korea’s fine drinking establishments. “Look out for him. He hits cats.”
Fare thee well, Cockblock.
Jackson attempts to escape hounded by the victims of his cockblocking schemes. Credits Editor: Kurt Taogaga Co-editor: Ali McCannell Contributing writers: RJ Karas and Kurt Taogaga Photos: REME & City RFC - Robin Ash; Colts - JB Paquereau
Public Transport: Apgujeong Station (#335) Exit 6. Walk down the road for about 500 meters and then turn right between Shinsa Middle School and Hyundai High School. Walk to the end of the road and turn left at the T-junction. Keep walking, after 75 meters there is a tunnel on your right. This takes you under the Olympic Expressway and brings you out in a car park by the river. The rugby pitch is on the right of the car park. Driving: Go south over Hannam bridge over the Olympic Expressway, turn right towards Apgujeong Stn. The road loops around and you head east parallel with the river but south of the Olympic Expressway. After 500m turn left at the traffic light between Shinsa Middle and Hyundai High schools. Go to the end of the road, turn left and after 75m turn right through the tunnel under the Olympic Expressway. The rugby pitch is on the right of the car park.