Maybe Next Weekend
SEOUL SURVIVORS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB IN BRIEF:
• Training is cancelled this weekend, Apr. 24th. Next weekend, May 1st there will be a touch tournament and May 8th the Seoul leg of the Korea 10s.
• The optional Wednesday training run is up and running and getting about 10-12 attendees.
• Dues for the year 2010 are 50,000 won. There will be a dispensation for those who register later in the year. You will receive a complimentary Survivors tie once they come on line.
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Killer Bs Sting Knights
• First YSC game April 24th in Guangzhou. Good luck to all.
• Gumi beat Jeonnam, 25-20, in Jeonnam.
CONTENTS: Page 2: Ansan 7s. Page 3: Player Profile - Brian Bruckman. Page 4: YSC, Guangzhou. Page 5: Korea 10s, A5N, community. Page 6: Sponsors, Manila 10s. Page 7: Survivors Mailbag. Page 8: News cont.
The Killer Bs’ Steve Ko pushes through the Knights’ defence.
WEBSITE:
By Emma-Jean Galliott
www.survivorsrfc.com
The Seoul Survivors left their Apgujeong home turf happy men this Saturday with a 29-7 victory over the newly formed Cheongju Knights. Seoul’s Killer Bs team scored five tries throughout the game showing great potential for the rest of the season, while the newly formed Knight’s main focus is now on their Korea 10s League appearance on May 8th. Slight changes were made to the game this weekend with the teams playing three 25 minute periods instead of the usual two 40 minute halves. The Survivors made it clear that they were committed to win with Samoan inside centre, Mona Tumamao, breaking through the Knight’s defence early on leading to the first try at the 15-minute mark. Tumamao’s effort was followed up by New Zea-
lander, Steve Ko, making it look easy by pushing up from the back late in the first period to add to Seoul’s score. Seoul’s forwards showed great continuity with the ball in hand and their resulting dominance at the breakdown constantly pushed the Knight’s defensive limits allowing the Survivors to hold onto possession for the majority of the first period. Cheongju’s confidence boosted after the first period spell with the Survivors making critical defensive errors in front of the try line allowing the Knights’, Jonathon Durand, to escape from the scrum and put one down between the posts, converted by captain James Nielsen. The visiting team’s forwards stepped up their game dominating the majority of the scrums and pushing their way forward with only marginal error but Seoul’s, Philip Guerrero, managed to (Continued on page 2)
Survivors victorious in Ansan 7s By Jacob Leonard In the year of the “Indian Winter” here in Korea, the Seoul Survivors achieved a first; they won the 1st Annual Ansan 7s Tournament. With two teams the “A -team” and the Killer Bs, the Survivors set out to win their first Korean tournament in what may be the team’s long and storied history. The competition was tough. The A-team missed its first game due to a “time discrepancy.” The A-team’s second game was a success; at least having a full team to take the pitch. With six Survivors and one Ansan rugby player, they took to the pitch and demolished the opposition. The “Ansan Warrior” was a replacement for Jin; as he made his way to the pharmacy with five minutes to go before the game. On his return, he stated that he had a bit of a lower digestive tract problem. The Killer Bs and the A-team rolled easily into the finals after several hard fought games. SS Killer Bs (Continued from page 1)
rally through leaving the second period score at 17-7. The Survivors were still too strong for Cheongju and the third period saw Mona Tumamao step past the Knight’s defensive attempts to break through with a successful half field sprint, exciting the crowd. Easy penalties were given away in the third period and both teams were caught holding the ball in front of the posts. A
Survivors A and Killer B teams celebrate a successful Ansan 7s tournament. The A-team played first against the Seoul Buk High School Old Boys Club. The game was well battled on all three sides. The ref, Survivors, and Seoul Buk made the game interesting. With five minutes left and the Survivors down 14-12, Rico made a clean hard tackle on an opposing player. The ref felt the tackle was a bit too hard for his
liking and awarded Rico a yellow card. Showing his disgust for the call with a “flying finger”, Rico was quickly upgraded to red. The A-team, now down one player, made a marvelous comeback, scoring two tries and winning the A-side division 24-14.
nasty collision midway in the last 15 minutes left Seoul’s only Fijian player, Manasa Tuilau, with a broken nose and Knight’s player, Adam White, with a nasty head injury. White later returned to the field while Tuilau was ruled out of the game having already produced a man-of-the-match effort. Cheongju’s outside defence was poor and Survivors’ newcomer, Luke Reidy, easily broke through to score the last try of the game with Newton Thompson adding the conversion.
Survivors’ captain, Jordan Smigelsky, was content with his team’s victory and was proud of the Survivors early dominance in the game. “We were very strong in the first period, the forwards played well and recycled the ball”, he said. Despite the team’s win, Smigelsky believes there is still room for improvement within the Seoul Survivors Killer Bs team, noting that the line outs require a lot of work. Smigelsky believes his boys lost focus in the second period, which saw Cheongju grounding their first and only try of the game. “We let up in the second period, the forwards lost their way and we were not getting clear balls”, he said. Loose hands and a considerable amount of penalties did not help the Knights advance their campaign, with Cheongju’s captain, James Nielsen, attributing it to his player’s lack of experience. “Three men on the backline haven’t played before”, said Nielsen. “Our outside centre, full back and wings haven’t had a lot of experience”.
The Knights’ halfback and man-of-the-match, Jonathon Durand.
(Continued on page 8)
Player Profile: Brian Bruckman Nickname: Position:
Paparazzi, War Horse Flanker, Hooker
Birthdate:
19/01/1973
Hometown:
Waterloo, Ontario
Every team needs a hardened battleaxe. A guy who knows how to squeeze the last skerrick of effort from himself and those around him to win tight games in the clutch. For the Survivors, that man is Brian Bruckman. The hard-nosed Canadian tackle machine has seemingly been a part of the club since the very beginning. Paparazzi has witnessed a lot of players come and go but like a rock he remains a firm fixture at the heart of the club. First rugby memory in Korea: Meeting the team the second day I was here in the bar, playing the third day and instantly having 20 plus friends. It helped that I scored five tries thanks to the team! What are you doing in Korea? Teaching. Favourite thing about Korea: Leaving to go on tour.
What do you like least at training? The 50km commute.
Least favourite thing about Korea: Coming back to Korea knowing I have to work in the What are your interests outside rugby? morning. Paragliding, cooking, fishing and fixing things. What do you enjoy about your position?
Do you have a favourite quote or saying?
The hunt.
“Go hard or go home!”. That is how I now run my life; after learning it from my first rugby team.
What don’t you like about your position? Everyone wants it and thinks they can play it; but few How would you like to improve yourself off the rugby field? can well. Be twenty years younger. Do you have a good luck charm/ritual for games? Selecting someone that I want to pick on during the What is your claim to fame? game when I line up at the kick-off. I scored the first try of the Yellow Sea Cup! What do you miss most about home? Fishing and family. What do you like most at training? Barking at the boys.
The Yellow Sea Cup 2010 By Richard Jarvis The 2010 Yellow Sea Cup is upon us! In its sixth year, the YSC will again be a 5team tournament. The Seoul Survivors, Beijing Devils, Shanghai Hairy Crabs, and Guangzhou Rams will be joined by newcomers Jinan Rocks to compete for the coveted trophy. This year will see the Survivors start on the road again with an away trip to Guangzhou. After a comprehensive victory last season, the Survivors will be expecting an easy game. However, history does not bode well for the Survivors - they have never won their first game when on the road. Combine that with the Rams being able to call upon a host of Chinese military players (who find it difficult to travel) and it makes for a much more tricky game than might otherwise have been anticipated. The Survivors' second game, and potentially the YSC decider, is at home to the
holders Shanghai. The Hairy Crabs come into the 2010 tournament unbeaten in their last 8 YSC games, and will surely be looking to continue that trend. However, the Seoul Survivors have came closest to beating the Crabs, with last season’s opener in Shanghai ending 10-8 in the host's favor. This year, with the Crabs having to travel to Seoul, the Survivors will be feeling very confident of reversing that result, even though reports indicate the Crabs are planning on bringing more than 40 personnel. After the summer break, the Survivors will be returning to action with a visit from Jinan Rocks - a new entry to the competition, but a very strong prospect! The Rocks are an all Chinese team, drawing in players from across the Shandong Province in China. Although, geographically the closest team to Seoul, crossing the Yellow Sea is always a daunting prospect, and the Survivors will be hoping that Fortress Jamwon
holds firm and they are able to get the needed result. Finally, there is the visit to Beijing. The Survivors will be hoping that 2010 doesn't end the way 2008 started - an embarrassing 42-5 defeat in Beijing (their worst ever result in the YSC). The Survivors took sweet revenge in 2009, with a confident 22 - 3 home win, and will be hoping to repeat this result in 2010 and thereby secure the return of the YSC to the Korean peninsula. Last season saw a huge improvement in the Survivors' fortunes. They posted the highest ever score in the YSC, as well as scoring the most tries in a single game. They also conceded the least number of points in any YSC year – just 13 across all games. Combined with an unbeaten home record at their new ground, and an ever increasing squad size, the Survivors will surely be favorites to win the 2010 Yellow Sea Cup.
A Preview to Guangzhou By Jacob Leonard It’s that time of year again, “yellow dust” is in the air and the Seoul Survivors are once again preparing to take part in the Yellow Sea Cup (YSC). The Survivors begin the 2010 YSC campaign with a trip to China’s industrial Guangdong Province to face the Guangzhou Rams. The Survivors first faced the Rams in 2008 coming away with a 30-10 victory in Hong Kong. Like all YSC matches the game was well fought on both sides. The man of the match for the Survivors was Dwight “The Tasmanian Devil” Johnson in the backs and Richard “The Bulldog” Jarvis in the forwards. In 2009, the Rams made their maiden trip to Seoul to face the Survivors. The match was played on the banks of the Han River at Jamwon Pitch. It was onesided victory for the Survivors. The Survivors scored 71 points while allowing 0. With outstanding play from both the forwards and backs, the Survivors staged the largest victory margin in the YSC’s 5 year history. During that match, Aisea Hoeft, known as Tonga, was the
forward of the match and Kurt “Le ready and get prepared for another great Cube” Taogaga was the back of the match between the Rams and the Survimatch. This season should be a bit more vors on April 24th. strenuous, for the Survivors will make their first journey to Guangzhou to face the Rams. Like all YSC matches, home field advantage is a key element. So, get
Seoul Survivors vs. Guangzhou Rams 2009
Korea 10s League Promises Feast of Action By Richard Jarvis After a promising, but poorly turned-out, MCST Invitational 10s last year, the Survivors are looking to help grow expat rugby in Korea. To that end comes the formation of the Korea Tens League; a ten team, four event league that'll take place across the Korean peninsula over the next 4 months. The opening event is scheduled for May 8th in Seoul. This will be followed by an American-themed trip to Cheongju on the weekend of July 3rd. A day of rugby and a night at the beach can be had in Busan on August 28th, and the league will close out with an Oktoberfest fuelled visit to Gumi on October 2nd. Each event should provide teams with a well-organised, full day’s rugby, followed by an equally memorable party. Teams will be travelling from all across Korea, and will represent both the expat
community and Korean universities. The the event - Scrooge Pub is graciously south will be heavily represented with helping out with the event in Seoul. teams from Busan, Jeonnam and Ulsan. All in all, it's looking to be a great year Teams from Gumi and Cheongju will be for rugby in Korea, and we're definitely representing the midlands, whilst the seeing a rise in expat-fuelled competition. Survivors and Korea University will Check out http://www.koreatens.com for represent the north. To make up the more details. numbers, an additional team will be formed with representatives from across the peninsula, including Ilsan and Gunsan. The league has already secured sponsorship from Canterbury, who are offering a complete kit to the winning team and will be looking to individual hosts to The Korea 10s promises more of this type of action. help lower the cost of
Asian 5 Nations Preview By Richard Jarvis Korea's assault on the Asian 5 Nations, and ultimately the 2011 Rugby World Cup, starts on April 24th, away to Hong -Kong. In last year's fixture, Korea stormed to a 31-3 half-time lead, but then proceeded to bring on all their replacements early in the second half – leaving them no room to breathe. Injuries and sin-bins saw them at times fielding only 13 players, and allowed Hong-Kong to claw the game right back, almost winning it 36-34. Korea will need to show a bit more tactical nouse this year if they are to avoid any potential hiccups like this! Korea's second game is at home to Asian rugby giants Japan. Under the astute guidance of All Black legend and friend to the Seoul Survivors, John Kirwan, and with a very successful home league capable of attracting international class rugby players that really fuels the growth of Japanese rugby, Japan consistently prove themselves an unstoppable force; last season scoring 271 points and conceding only 41. This game will probably still prove a step too far for the Koreans, but it will give them the chance to restore some pride after last season's embarrassing 80-9 defeat in Japan.
Korea's third game will be away to the newly promoted Arabian Gulf. This game should be a relatively straightforward affair for the Koreans. However, Korea will be coming off the back of a bruising encounter with Japan and will have half a mind on their final game against Kazakhstan, so can't afford to take their foot off the gas! Korea's final game and the probable decider for 2nd place in the A5N will be at home to Kazakhstan. Last season saw the Kazakhstanis pull-off a surprise victory against Korea; winning 30-27 with a late penalty. This year Korea have home advantage and, if they are able to reign in 3-try-scoring Anton "The Horse" Rudoy, should be able to take revenge and secure runners-up spot. Why is all this so important? Two spots for the 2011 Rugby World Cup are on the table! The winners of this year's Asian 5 Nations will secure automatic qualification to next year's World Cup. Whist the runners-up will go into a cross -continental play-off for the final spot. The Survivors will be travelling to both of Korea's home games to give their support – although there might be some mixed feelings at the Japan game, with the Kiwis on the team perhaps looking to Kirwan's boys to do them proud.
Community Update By Jordan Smigelsky The Seoul Survivors have decided to use the money raised from our Movember fundraiser to go towards four events spread out over the course of 2010, with each event benefiting the kids from Sunduk Girls Orphanage. With that being said we had the first community event of 2010 on March 14th. Survivors and friends accompanied the girls from Sunduk Orphanage to the CGV in Yongsan to see Alice in Wonderland in glorious 3D. A great time was had by all and everyone is looking forward to the next event which is scheduled for May 23rd. On that day a group of survivors will make the trip out to the orphanage and enjoy some traditional Korean performances followed by a big BBQ outside and games. (photo on page 8)
Credits Editor: Kurt Taogaga Contributing writers: athan Farren; Emma-Jean Galliot; Justin Jackson; Richard Jarvis; Jacob Leonard; Jordan Smigelsky; Kurt Taogaga Photos: Killer Bs/Guangzhou Robin Ash; Ansan 7s - Amiria Britton; Community - Sunny Myung
Our Sponsors for 2010 By Nathan Farren The Seoul Survivors have started another year of memorable rugby with the support and sponsorship of both local and international companies. It is a great pleasure to welcome Jaseng Hospital on board as a major sponsor. The team at Jaseng Hospital has come stepped up and will be offering valuable support by supplying sideline medical treatment for all Seoul Survivor home games. This service will assist the club reach a new
level of professionalism whilst hosting local and international rugby teams in Seoul. Oakwood has also continued their support of the Seoul Survivors and the Yellow Sea Cup. It's the second year running that Oakwood has helped the team achieve its dream of travelling to China and the Philippines as well as funding the all important costs of hosting touring teams in Korea. Oakwood’s support allows visiting rugby teams to have
a memorable trip to Korea. Finally, the ever-faithful Scrooge Pub is working side by side with the Seoul Survivors for the sixth year straight. Mr. Ken and his team at Scrooge Pub have supported the improvement of Seoul Survivor social and charity fundraising activities. Scrooge’s generous hospitality has given Survivor rugby a great reputation famous both within the Korean and international rugby communities.
Survivors Strive for Manila Glory By Justin Jackson Well that special time of year again has come and gone, when a young Survivor’s fancy turns to that awkward longing for green fields, real grass, warm weather, and late nights. I speak of course to the annual pilgrimage to Manila to participate in the Manila 10s Rugby Tournament. This is, the 16th year the Survivors have made the trip, by the Gray Captain’s reckoning Thirteen brave souls ventured forth from Seoul with a mix of old hands and young blood to brave the seedy underbelly of
Manila. Survivor-in-good-standing and all-round speedster Hendrick Perry even made the trip from sunny Hawaii to partake in the weekend’s festivities. We arrived in Manila at the crack of 1am. The first day of the tournament started with the Survivors seeded in the top division. The competition would be strong and it would be fierce but the squad was fired up and ready for the challenge. The first team the Survivors would play would be the Taipei Giants. The Giants were a mainly Chinese team that looked ripe for being forwarded to death by the Survivors’ pack. Sadly,
The Seoul Survivors Manila 10s squad of 2010
there was a sacred tour tradition that Survivors would not give up. In the 16 years, the Seoul Survivors have only won their first Saturday game once. As usual, we started playing Survivors rugby half way through the first game too late to make a difference in the score. After a quick talk, we retired to our tent to rest up for the next game, which would be against the hometown heroes, The Manila Nomads. This would be our only win of the tournament and we would make short work of the Nomads. The forward pack dominated the play and Bumbles would make sure the Survivors were the first on the board. Later, Ib would make like a thief in the night and astonish both teams by picking the ball out of mid air and making a try. While he was running towards the try line both teams looked around to figure out what happened and before any one realized it, Ib had scored the second try. The Survivors would score one more time before time ran out and Manila would save some face by scoring in the closing seconds of the game. All told, the outcome was never in question as the Survivors dominated play early and often. The final match of the day would take place against our nemesis, the Scottish (Continued on page 8)
Survivors’ Mail Bag The Emu brings a box of crayons and his own brand of irreverent humour to the Maybe $ext Weekend newsletter this month.. Remember to send your questions to:
survivorsmailbag@gmail.com The EMU’s EMU s been given the glorious job of Mail Bag Editor & since there was no Mail this month I decided to give a wrap up of the Super 14’s 14 s so far! Here are some facts, out of the top 6 teams 3 are Australian, Australian 2 South African & 1 Kiwi. An even more interesting stat is the bottom 8 teams. 4 kiwis, kiwis, 3 South Africans (bottom 2) & only 1 Aussie team, now that says something and it isn’t isn t pretty for the self proclaimed power house of Rugby, New Zealand,, or the current World Cup Champs. Zealand While the young bulls of the survivors are educating the masses every Friday arvo the old dogs gather & talk rugby. The team on everyone’s everyone s LIPS are the 5th placed REDS, REDS the most dynamic and exciting home. B & E charges aside, Quade Cooper and Will Genia have team winning in both South Africa, Africa NZ&@ NZ directed The Queenslanders around the park to play the most enjoyable rugby seen this century! century The big test will come against the Bulls and here is hoping the home ground advantage brings a victory that catapults THE REDS into the top 4 and silences those Saffas amongst the team. The 1st placed Bulls have ploughed their way through many a slow start to emerge and grind out endless victories at the back end of games. The Bulls have only lost to the Blues in NZ but if they fail to the REDS this weekend they can only pray they get a SemiSemi-Final @ home because they are very beatable away from high altitude. altitude. The Crusaders are cruising in 2nd & have only lost once (to the REDS of course) but they have a very formidable final 4 games, traveling to Perth and South Africa. Africa. They will be lucky to remain in the top 4! If they do so their experience and talent will be the only shinning light for the KIWI’s KIWI s miserable Super 14s performance in 2010. The Tahs are 3rd on the ladder, while finally showing some grit they have paid a hefty price in casualties of late. Their chances of making the top 4 rely on strong performances in NZ and they do not have it’s any get out of jail free cards @ their disposal. If they make it s because they deserve it, Go the TAHS Finally the Stormers are in 4th place with a lucky come from behind win over the REDS. REDS With a formidable forward pack they are playing to their strengths. They face 3 of the top 5 teams in the final tournament. If they win away then weeks of the fixture and can prove to be the surprise package of the tournament they’re in for a chance to securing a hometown semisemifinal but don’t don t hold your breath. The only other team THE EMU can see scraping into the top 4 are the Brumbies. This will rely on them beating at least 3 teams above them on the ladder! ladder They have some Australian matchmatch-ups that will prove difficult/entertaining difficult entertaining as well as the Crusaders in NZ. NZ If they play to their potential we could very well see them playing in another Super 14 semisemifinal albeit away from home! To conclude, there will be PLENTY of TOP RUGBY to enjoy while buying THE EMU a refreshing ale or 2 2, so get to Scrooge and vent your frustration or yell “GO GO
News stories continued... Ansan 7s (Continued from page 2)
The Killer Bs then played the Ansan Bravo for the B-side Final. Despite a hard fought game by the seconds, the Bravo came out victorious. Seven games played by Survivors and six wins during the tournament. With one title and one runner-up title out of four awards, the Ansan 7s was a total success. Cheers go out to the following players: Simon Walsh, Philip Guerrero, Ibrahim Zylstra, Hikaru Tamoto, Jin Lee, Nathan Atkins, Tim O’Connor, Theron Fau, Newton Thompson, Rico Colón, Justin Jackson, Jacob Leonard and Antoine Fafé as well as Gumi Barbarians Victor Yang and Gareth McKinnon. A big thanks also goes out to Dan “Glover” Grover for his organization, Kurt “Makkeoli King” Taogaga, Roddy Bancroft, Richard Jang, Nick Goodman, Emilie Godefroid, Holly Durkin, Rene Bancroft, Aidan Bancroft and Amiria Britton for their great support. See you all next spring for the Ansan 7s; if there is a spring.
Manila 10s (Continued from page 6)
Black Watch. They were lean, fit, and hungry to play. The Survivors went into the game hoping for the best and ready to play. The Black Watch were exceptionally fast and were obviously very well practiced with their back line moves. This made life tough for the Survivors’ defence. While the game would go well as long as the Survivors played tight and quick, smashing down the field, open play favoured the Black Watch. The quick paced running of the other team was able to cut the Survivors to pieces. The bright spot for the Survivors was a long and slow march down the field that culminated in a penalty against the Black Watch just as the Survivors were about to score. Although the Survivors lost the match, the Survivors were the only team to hold the Black Watch to under 4 tries. Other teams lost by 50 points. All in all the day was a good showing for the boys from Seoul. The next day started early, with kick off for the first game to come at 8:30. The second day of the tourney would be the elimination round and the boys from
Seoul were looking to put away another British military team, The Flying Kukris. The game would get off to slow start for Survivors but they found their life towards the end. The Kukris ended up winning 10-7 with momentum favouring the Survivors towards the end. The Survivors can take heart in the fact the Kukris ended up winning the plate and thus the division. Special mention should be made of one Hendrick Perry who played a fantastic tournament earning him the back-of-thetournament award. Perry was literally all over the field making tackles when some enterprising opponent made it past the Survivors’ line of defence and on more than one occasion would make two tackles down field while the rest of the team was struggling to catch up. Justin Jackson was awarded forward-of-thetournament.
The Survivors are proud supporters of the Sunduk Girls Orphanage