Team Profile 6 : Aotearoa Maori Rugby

The Aotearoa Maori Rugby team had their first taste of international rugby last year at the Cobra 10s. Hungry for more we have selected maori from throughout the land to represent all maori in our quest to perform to a higher level. Whilst inexperienced at this level this tournament allows our people to play on the international stage and against quality opposition.

Team Profile 5 : Singapore Barbarians

The Singapore Barbarians were formed in March 2003 with the objective of drawing from the pool of playing talent, both Singaporean and Expatriate to form an invitational team to play during invitational teams visiting Singapore and to compete in regional tournaments.

In this way, we truly represent the best of Singapore rugby community.

Singapore is in the position to draw upon a large pool of talent that has played the game to a very high level, many having played the game professionally.

All of the team are truly looking forward to another trip to the Borneo 10s to try and better the Plate Victory from 2006.

Team Profile 4 : Mendi Menjals (PNG)

The small township of Mendi is the capital of the Southern Highlands Province and is wedged between impressive limestone peaks.
This cool alpine setting is the home of the Mendi Menjals a team made up of local boys from “TENTE” in the rugged mountains of Papua New Guinea.

Tente is a small street in Mendi town flanked by small colonial houses built in the early days of the “kiaps” before independence. However, like most places in the Southern Highlands they have a strong and intricate social system little affected by change.

It is one of the few places where the traditional way of life can be seen in everyday living. Ceremonial rituals are strongly observed. Men and women can still be seen wearing traditional dress, tending their gardens and building their bush material huts.

The sport of Rugby Union is a newly introduced code into the Province and one which is not appreciated as much as Rugby League, our country’s national sport.

However, the Menjals have found early success, winning the 2006 PNG National MRDC 7s Cup. The team went through the competition undefeated, defeating Saint Joeys Old Boys from Sydney, Australia in the Cup finals.

Team Profile 3 : Arabian Pot Bellies RFC

The Arabian Potbellies [Club mottos carpe noctem & video et taceo ]

The Arabian Potbellies are the younger brothers of the world famous Hong Kong Potbellied Pigs. As is the way of expatriate rugby players we don’t tend to stay in one place too long and as we are all motivated by the ‘next big job’, it is no surprise that a number of Hong Kong Piggies ended up living and working in the Middle East (mostly in the UAE).

So we all have much in common, a love of playing rugby, large waistlines and a sincere aversion to rugby training. These things don’t necessarily go together, especially when the local rugby clubs that you may wish to join insist on regular attendance at rugby training sessions.

The only thing to do was to form our own club and seek out other rugby players of a similar frame of mind (& body) to join us.

So the Arabian Potbellies were born (it was not pretty) in the Autumn of 2006 when we found out that a team had dropped out of the Dubai International Veterans 10s competition, only a few weeks before the event and we jumped at the chance to enter. We lost, bravely, all of our games that weekend and played against some very good teams in the process … but we had a great time doing so.

The Potbellies are now officially formed and an Associate Member of the Arabian Gulf RFU. The Borneo 10s will be our first tour as club, but certainly not our last.

Watch out for the fattest wingers in the entire competition.

Team Profile 2 : Taipei Baboons

The Taipei Baboons are a eclectic group of backpackers and businessmen. The number of members swells and deflates annually and the parade of flags and rugby lore is colourful to say the least. As hard as it is to manage a team as fluid as the Baboons, it is even harder for the competition to predict what kind of team will show up. One week it’s a back line of ex-high school gridiron playing Texans and the next week its former Australia NRL prodigies. It all works to solidify our club as truly international and formidable. We proudly wear Guinness on our chests and have conditioned ourselves to enjoying the sweetest of Irish libations in the sweltering Taiwanese heat. We call the Brass Monkey home, our member owned pub that proudly displays the teams history in pictures, brushes with greatness and relationships with the most recognized and motley of rugby crews in south east Asia. A few months ago, a still-active 65 year old Baboon veteran was introduced to a 22 year old rookie, and the old man explained to the grasshopper what the “Haka” was and why it is a scary, wonderful thing. With major upsets and Simian personality our legacy, any place we go will get to see the “Nicest Rugby Club in Taipei” (an approach to the ever-increasing reluctance of local teams to play us….we yell too much and “What is raking?”). Larger than life ruggers like Japie, Max, Pete C., Doug, Uncle Dirty, Anders, Jack, Trash, Lil’ Justin, Roger, Ben.com, Ben.hall, and Rory will be pleased to meet you and then …throw faeces (metaphorically speaking).

Team Profile 1 : Davetalevu

Davetalevu : Our Returning Champs!
We participated in mainly rugby sevens tournament in SEA over the past fifteen years. The team is usually made up of mainly up and coming players from the Club who usually progress to represent the Fijian national side in both fifteens and sevens. A close club relationship with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces team has seen predominantly military personnel represent the club in recent years. Last year was the first time we participated in the Borneo Cobra 10s and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Is has been an incentive to players to return this year. Apart from the challenge of winning the tournament again, we look forward to the opportunity of meeting up with friends made last year. We would like to thank the organisers for inviting us again and their professionalism which made the tournament such a success.

I'm Back !

Its been quite some time since I updated this blog, sorry guys, I know I promised a weekly update. But I have been extremely busy, and as I mentioned in all my mails, I am now half sane & half crazy ! But the good news, we are almost there.. and the countdown begins NOW !

To all the women teams, our apology as we are left with no choice but to call off the women category this year, as many teams were having difficulties with flights arrangements. We will bring back the category next year, and we would like to thank all the teams who have given us your confirmation for next year's event. We THANK YOU ladies for all the support, we REALLY DO appreciate it. Hopefully, the Airlines will do us a huge favor next year, and dont surprise us with any last minute cancellations... we'll pray for that.. :)

By the way, before I forget, check out our new tournament logo... yes.. on the upper left hand side.. , let us know your thoughts.. we've been looking at so many colour samples, that I am seriously thinking I could be colour blind now.. ...

What we'll do this week onwards, we will publish the profiles & photos of all participating teams this year. So, dont forget to check us out weekly for updates.

To my friend Daniel in Singapore, I know you think the music sucks.. so I will try to find time and update that as well.

Cheers !!!!!!!