my first XV

as i'm nearing the end of my very short but meaningful rugby coaching "career", here's a look at the first XV. thank you for all the precious memories and the good times. it's kinda hard to forget.

	#1: To be determined.
	#2: Michael - the funny guy who could never shut up or fail to put a smile on my face when i'm trying to be serious. my "Jerry Flannery": keep throwing them lethal hook throws and being there at the breakdown and irritating the shit out of the opponent. you know you can handle the ball, you know you've got the skills. do the basics right, keep your head down, work, work, and work some more. maintain your confidence and just go for it!
	#3: Terence - one word, "monster". my "Phil Vickery": you've got the strength and power to makan anyone for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the pitch. dominate the opponent at every scrum. crush them. crumple them. and continue being the tour-de-force with the ball in hand. don't bother side stepping, you know it'll be easier to just trample over them!
	#4: Elson - the even-more-vulgar-than-me one. my "Chris Jack": don't be disappointed over the lack of some serious pace even though i'm sure you've got plenty to go around. your passion is infectious and your dynamism is what makes you stand out. just look around a bit more, coupled with the will to clean up every breakdown and the pretty damn good show of handling skills, you'll become a lock to be reckoned with!
	#5: To be determined.
	#6: Jian fei - soft spoken but sure as hell packs a punch. my "Jerry Collins": you are the bed rock of the back-row and your physically robust approach sets up a platform for the rest to excel. shut the opposition's attack out at every set play and carry the ball to and over the defensive line at every opportunity. you can be the nicest guy off the pitch, but once you take a step onto the green, give it to them!
	#7: Yier - the go-to guy if you want a chiropractor, who erm doesn't just reset your bone structure, but tends to break a few too without really intending any harm. my "Richie McCaw": you know you've got what it takes to be the best open-side flanker in the business. your awareness and that hard physical edge you bring to the game will carry you far beyond the opposition defense. and it goes without saying that please, don't stop making those bone-crunching big hits that make the opponents wish they'd never been born!
	#8: Yu teng - the future number 8, who always keeps me on my creative toes to make the trainings better, harder. my "Zinzan Brooke": the drive to continuously better yourself will always get you to the other side of the gain line and place you at the front of every ruck and maul. continue to one-up those around you and strive to get the best out of every single one of them. be on the constant lookout at the base of the scrum. be aware, create space!
	#9: Alex - the self-motivated quiet guy with a big, Big heart. my "Augustin Pichot": even though you don't talk much, your fortitude and love of the game is clear as day. you've got the pace, the knowledge. now sharpen your composure and learn to control the game and have the confidence to distribute the ball. and when you see that elusive gap, don't hesitate. the pitch is your stage, so make them sit up and take notice. keep all the world's attention focused on you!
	#10: SK (C) - o' captain my captain, the talisman. my "Stephen Larkham": you might not have the devastating pace, or the physical prowess to break through the line at will. but what you have is vision - vision to distribute the ball, vision for that half-break, vision to pick out that man running for the gap. your passes and kicks are your most potent weapons. see the big picture; you're the general, you're the one that your team looks to for leadership. you boss the game!
	#11: Jasper - the mercurial one, catch him if you can. my "Joe Rokocoko": agility and pace are priceless commodities and some of the most useful abilities to have when you're one on one with the opponent. get the ball and exploit that space in front of you. there are times to be selfish and also times to be selfless. dancing steps, quick feet, blistering pace - let your feet do the thing!
	#12: Ee chu - the caring and fun-loving guy who will take one for the team, anyday. my "Yannick Jauzion": you are the midfield powerhouse who possess the delicate touch for a man of no small stature. handling, ball distribution and that uncanny gift to pick out the gap are your most valuable assets. you shoulder the heavy burden of both being a constant threat in attack and a solid road block in defense. run straight, and run hard!
	#13: Jia chen - never-say-no and smiles all day long. my "Conrad Smith": the versatile runner with good hands on the ball. the passes, the offloads, you lay out the ground work for others to do their thing. the awareness of space and support around you is probably the reason for your adaptability playing as a utility forward too - a skill few possesses. glory also comes in doing the hard work!
	#14: Dao yuan - who says there's no place for a little guy in a game dominated by giants. my "Vincent Clerk": though you lack the physique to compete physically with some of the bigger guys, there's always a place for the little guy. use your ingenuity and play a thinking game. always keep the opponents guessing on your next move. and when you do get the ball, you just have to pluck it out of the air, and... run forest run!
	#15: Cai shuai - the one who's probably a bit of a nutjob when it comes to rugby. my "Mils Muliana": solid in defense, abrasive in attack. you're one who proudly displays the give-it-all attitude in your actions. your instincts and athleticism are the strengths of your game, so utilize them to the fullest degree. continue to hone your understanding and be safe with the ball. run, catch, tackle. and then run, catch and tackle some more!

+listening to: exit by blues saraceno