no matter how shit the days are, or how screwed up things are looking, catching up with ruggers and talking rugby always brings a smile to my face.
rugby runs deep in my veins, even though it's been so long that i've forgotton what it's like to run onto the paddock and toss a few around, feel the blood rush to the head and the lightness in the feet.
kia kaha
+listening to: nothing
Showing posts with label rugby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rugby. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 15
| it's been a while |  |
Thursday, October 21
Saturday, July 17
| i know why now... | |
i think i've just come to the conclusion with regards to why i stopped watching soccer completely.
so i was reading this article about the south african center jean de villiers' 2-week ban after he was cited for a dangerous tackle in yesterday's test between the all blacks and the springboks. and at the end of the article the paragraph struck me:
Wheelahan said that an important mitigating factor in de Villiers' favour, was his exemplary disciplinary record, which consisted of one yellow card during a career spanning nearly 10 years and 60 tests.
that got me thinking, has anyone ever seen a soccer player go 10 years and only receive 1 yellow card? all the diving and the theatrics and the ill-discipline is poisoning the world's most popular game.
soccer players in general act like a mob around the referee. it simply would not happen in a game of rugby. i'm not saying that rugby is a better game, because that is subjective. all i'm trying to put across here is that somebody, be it fifa or national governing bodies need to put the brakes on bad behaviors on the pitch. yellow cards should not be treated so lightly. a similar system of sin-binning a player for yellow card infringements in my opinion would greatly reduce all that shenanigans that go on.
it got to a point where i got frustrated of watching it, let alone playing the game. imagine what the players who were being impeded on felt like.
alright, that's the end of this rant.
+listening to: nothing
Tuesday, June 8
Wednesday, March 31
Tuesday, March 30
| time | |
lab 10 was a surprise. probably the hardest and most time consuming lab so far. and after about 2 hours of tinkering around with the code, IT ALL WORKED. flawlessly. the all nighter last night wasn't wasted at all even if it meant i now feel like death. fever, cough, headache and general fatigue has turned me into a walking ball of mess in the morning, and now a stranded log on my bed. but i wanted to write all these down less i forget.
the feeling of completing a project successfully in 1 week instead of the 2 week time frame, plus the added bonus of being the only group in my lab session to be done with it and walking out early gave me a sense of peace. like i did something right. but i have really got my lab partner steve to thank for.
all that aside, the only reason i'm not falling into a deep sleep even when i feel like death is that rugby season is starting today, the a division nationals. to me it ranks above the world cup, the tri nations, the six nations and any other championships. because it is so real you can reach out and touch it. and feel your heart racing.
i have played with these boys, taught them a thing or two i knew. and... they give me hope. like their predecessors, and their predecessors. i saw a facebook status today "let's make a stand. as a team." and i knew they are ready. time to put on those boots and get some blood on those faces and mud under the fingernails. hooooah!
+listening to: 10,000 motherfuckers by jason mraz
Friday, June 12
| lost | |
i'm finally back on track with lost season 5. been watching it almost non stop. but that's a story for another day.
today was the last training session, for real. i guess rugby for me here in singapore has come to a halt. this is the end. everything has come full circle.
it's hard for me to put the kind of feeling into words now. it's hard to swallow the fact that this might be the last time that i'll ever set foot into hwa chong, onto the familiar pitch, where countless hours are spent perfecting that place kick, savoring every moment that i ever had to just have a run on the wide open space, or just day dreaming under the setting sun that one day we might just get a chance to play here.
i know this place... every inch of turf, every pot hole. the familiar scent, the change of winds. the temptation of the goal posts, the jubilation of a successful drop goal. breathlessness, unquenchable thirst. every drop of sweat and blood, that gratifying spring in your steps. it's a magical place, it's my theater of dreams.
i feel a little lost, but assured at the same time that some good will come out of it. it's been like this and it will always be like this. we've all shared the same experience: that leap of faith, writing your name on the sheet of paper with a horribly scribbled "hc rugby" for the first and last time. and then you were "in", putting your trust in people you've never even met before. but it had always turned out just fine because we've always had kind hearted people, crazy people, passionate people, who had carried one another and continued on a proud tradition of this game that we've all come to love.
i'm lost for words. so, for one last time: hwa chong, whoosh!
+listening to: try by john mayer trio
Monday, June 8
| not yet over | |
what i thought was the last holiday session turned out to be not really the last. had another one today. and i think my face might have melted a little at around 11 am.
the weather was a killer. and i was sweating buckets just standing there and ordering people around and about their drills and such. man it's hot in here. overall was somewhat satisfied with the performance, even though there were on average 1 dropped ball/pass per minute during a certain recycling drill. ghastly.
but surprisingly their switches are pretty good. i think some of them might even be able to do it better than myself i kid you not. but then again it all comes down to awareness and execution in a real game. we'll find out i guess, they seem eager to play a game.
all is not lost, there might just be hope.
signing out.
+listening to: my generation by the who
Friday, June 5
| final holiday session, sonny bill, etc. | |
final holiday session. think i've covered all that i know of and have experienced as a rugby player. peace of mind. everything else is up to them. sadly they're still not being a team, more of acting like one at the moment. but it's good to know that there's still genuine passion for the game, maybe some of them will make it. i don't know.
right. SONNY BILL WILLIAMS.
the stats speak for themselves:
- 1.95 m
- 107 kg
- 14 tries, 56 pts in 2007 NRL season.
the superhuman, the lebron james of rugby league, now plying his trade in rugby union. it's probably one of the best things to ever happen to rugby union since tana umaga converted from league. a lot of tuqiri (lote tuqiri) doesn't count, cause erm... he's from the criminal element (australia).
and come tomorrow, sonny bill will be playing 13 for the baa baas against an australian squad that would be eager to please in the opening match of their international season. and guess who's the opposite number to sonny bill? it's non other than the evil wizard stirling mortlock. now just watch as sonny bill opens a can of whoop-ass on stirlo's ass. IT WILL BE EPIC.
WALLABIES: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 George Smith, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 David Pocock, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Quade Cooper, 22 James O'Connor.
BARBARIANS: 15 Geordan Murphy (Ireland), 14 Iain Balshaw (England), 13 Sonny Bill Williams (uncapped, NZ), 12 Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), 11 Josh Lewsey (England), 10 Luke McAlister (NZ), 9 Chris Whitaker (Australia); 8 Rocky Elsom (Australia), 7 Phil Waugh (captain, Aus), 6 Jerry Collins (NZ), 5 Paul Tito (uncapped, NZ), 4 Chris Jack (NZ), 3 BJ Botha (South Africa), 2 Sebastien Bruno (France), 1 Clarke Dermody (NZ). Reserves: 16 Schalk Brits (SA), 17 Greg Somerville (NZ), 18 Martin Corry (England), 19 Serge Betsen (France), 20 Justin Marshall (NZ), 21 Glen Jackson (uncapped, NZ), 22 Ben Blair (NZ).
+listening to: we are the champions by queen
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Thursday, June 4
| there's always thursday | |
went to watch the m1 schools series u14 tournament, and it was an eyeopening experience, especially seeing how big those 14 year olds are getting, and the level of skill and physicality involved.
particular standouts involved the battering rams from the likes of damai and green ridge, the kicker from montfort, and of course the electric acs barker number 14, who scored almost identical tries on 2 separate occasions by absolutely blistering past the opposition for three quarters of the field and also setting up the winning try for the final. absolutely amazing stuff, and it reminds me of a certain bryan habanna, or perhaps toderai chavanga. and i think i know the person responsible for this awesome phenomenon =D
saw my second movie of the week after dinner: angels and demons. it was rather long, and since i've read the book, kind of predictable too. but it was nice to get a glimpse into the vatican, somewhere which i'll probably never get a chance to set foot in, at least not any time soon.
and if you're intending to watch terminator salvation, please save yourself some dough and go to the arcade or something, or donate it to a charitable organization instead of fueling the sludge that comes out of hollywood. making terminator salvation was a bad idea from the start: it's like milking a dead cow, after you have shot it in the face and dressed it up to look like a prized stallion. not. going. to. work.
+listening to: surrounded by dream theater
Wednesday, June 3
| holiday session 2 | |
much improvement. i think it is because we started early. left the house at 9 and reached sch at 9.50. i kinda forgot how the morning traffic's like. totally ludicrous.
mostly handling drills in the morning, saw some eagerness to play the game. i think it's the awesome weather after the rain in the morning. think they liked it. passing is still f*ckin' horrible. for every instance someone drops the ball, i get a tiny heart attack. pppsh... found a new way to incorporate physical training into the "games". hooya.
video session was good. played the 2nd test lions tour 2005. they were awe struck by the amt of skill shown. this is a good starting point to get the interest of the game up. if they are still apathetic after this, they're just not lovin the game.
4v4 touch in the afternoon was much better. maybe it's the number of people, maybe the prohibition of running at the start finally made them see the benefit/importance of getting back behind the ball. much more variation, change of direction. think i finally got into their head that passing as a team can achieve what solo running does, and then some.
argh i'm tired. and kinda glad. finally something is working. sorta.
+listening to: stadium arcadium by red hot chili peppers
Monday, June 1
| holiday session 1 | |
wasn't as productive as i thought it would be. mostly attributed to the weather, partially attributed to hearts not in the right place.
kinda embarrassed myself with a show of complete lack of skills. can't throw a short ball, can't throw a cut out pass wide. it's like i'm wearing 10 on my back, except without the 0 if you know what i mean. what is wrong with me gah...
i'm tired. i'm unfit. i've lost the touch. argh.
+listening to: baby beluga by eddie vedder
Sunday, May 31
| link | |
seems like i'm all about the yesterdays now.
but yesterdays are worth recounting! so here goes: yesterday was an awesome day. not because of the walk about town in all the familiar places, not because of the interesting things i've seen that otherwise would only have been a picture on the internet, but because of the people i met.
it was jun zhe's 21st birthday party and of course he invited some old chs ruggers. i was perhaps the least qualified there, because technically i didn't play for chs. but it was as if we'd known each other all along.
i think a lot of why we love rugby is the stories. everyone always had that one story that would would be worth a million dollars and worth being retold a thousand times. and people would not get sick of hearing it. there's always the highs and the lows, the suspense, and then the climax, to which everyone would burst out into laughter. and the characters would seem to come to life. "oh you know this guy..." seem to be the phrase of the evening. and everyone seemed to be connected to someone who is somehow connected to another person and another, etc. it was one topic that started the never ending conversations that carried on into the wee hours of the night even after the host himself had to leave for other engagements.
it really unites people. even though we shared a common alma mater in secondary school, we tread down different paths for our respective jc's, yet there was that warmth and passion that never seem to be exclusive.
sometimes people really need to dwelve deeper into the cliches, the platitudes and understand why they are cliches and platitudes. i'd just like to repeat once again that winning isn't everything.
+listening to: wait til tomorrow by john mayer
Friday, May 22
| once again. please rise. | |
woke up at 6 am again for the 2nd day in a row, drenched in sweat. i seriously forgot how unforgiving the weather in singapore is like. showered 4 times in total yesterday, i think i should just give up trying to feel "fresh".
missed the a-div rugby final yesterday for a good cause. stepped into hwa chong for the first time in many months. and the feeling came gushing back, the familiar surroundings, the smell of freshly turned up turf.
met the new j1s for the first time too, first impressions weren't particularly positive, perhaps because of my intolerance to lateness, also the fact that no one brought their water bottles. but their passing had somewhat exceeded my expectations. still horrible nonetheless. there are definitely a few rough jams out there, the confidence to catch, the instincts to run for the gap, the athleticism, just that how polished those skills will become will really be up to the certain individuals. and the coachless situation has been laid to rest. i'm finally relieved.
today is going be another day to look forward to. sentosa in the morning, asian 5 nations in the afternoon. what more can i ask for. great company, and probably a compelling game of rugby always gets me off, even more so than drinking.
off to take another shower now. this is gonna be a hard fought losing battle with the weather.
+listening to: nothing
Monday, December 8
| a mind full of questions | |
time vaporizes. it's already nearing finals time, i am tired as usual, and i live at the library full-time now - i'm officially a "grainger ranger".
life's been... different lately. i've been far more detached from the reality. no idea what's going on around me. and my meager existence has a vocabulary of exactly 4 words: eat, sleep, class, study.
so in one of those few moments of aimlessness, i decided to have a chat with a few of the rugby boys. i forgot how long it's been since i last talked to them. i've been so out of touch with rugby and everything that has been going on.
i would have never imagined that i still held so much emotions for that little patch of green now that i'm a million miles away on the other side of the world. the images of those beaten to the ground crash pads, those endless mornings are still as vivid as yesterday.
i'm glad that for some of them that desire is still going strong, the passion still fervent. and for others it's hard to gauge, there's that hint of fatigue setting in, the edge seems to have been taken off just a wee bit. that subtle uncertainty about the future, about everything.
i saw it coming, with the coachless situation. i knew that it was going to be the archilles' heel of this bunch. i tried to put some sort of safeguard in, but i knew it wouldn't really be effective. i don't know why i'm still as surprised as i am. my heart still skipped a beat, something still stirred.
it's a struggle, it's always been a struggle and always will be. it's even harder when you're not even an adult. you're not expected to go through this shit. the path was supposed to be pointed out for you. laid in front of your eyes for you to tread comfortably. but sometimes, it just happens to be the way it is. we are a special bunch of people who all chose to walk this path.
keep the faith, that's what i always say and always do, because you never know what awaits you even when you think you know the flow of things. it's still a verdictless life, things will change for the better in the end, they always do.
+listening to: guaranteed by eddie vedder
Thursday, August 7
| a sad sad day for league *sobs* | |
this has got to be the best piece of news all year: sonny bill williams has officially converted to rugby (union that is).
let me give you some analogies just to show you the magnitude of this unexpected piece of good news: sonny bill converting to union is akin to dan carter moving over to play league; or in the soccer world, it would be like cristiano ronaldo suddenly deciding he wanted to play futsal for a living.
now, a little rugby tidbit for those unknowing fools: the rugby universe exists as the rugby dichotomy. there's rugby union (the real deal) and then there's rugby league (or league in short, the not-so-real deal, ymmv).
if you must know more, here's a short lesson highlighting the main differences:
i never got how the league people think of themselves as THE only thing out there. they seem to think that rugby union doesn't exist. and somehow it is always okay for league to poach players from union, but the reverse is considered a taboo.
what the league fanatics don't realise is that besides the odd handful of them, no one really cares about rugby league, or have even heard of it. with rugby union being the international game it is, at least it has the potential to take on soccer, and crush league on the way to achieving that.
grow up, league lovers. go have a drink at your local pub and laugh yourselves silly at the six tackles rule. that's like calling your mommy when you can't win a fight fair and square. and what's with the stoppage every time a tackle is made? need to make sure you look goodie-two-shoes on tv?
now if you'll excuse me, i need to go play some rugby 08. oh i'm sorry, i totally forgot, it's union only.
+listening to: slow dancing in a burning room by john mayer
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Tuesday, July 22
| with many things on my mind | |
traffic:
i used to think driving over here in china takes quite a bit of skill to put it mildly. that was until i came across an intersection, with broken traffic lights.
it was like playing russian roulette with a shotgun - you either get your head blown off or you live to tell the tales. here's basically what you do when you find yourself in a similar situation: close your eyes, step on the gas, say a prayer and hold on for dear life.
food:
nothing special here but your typical mix of authentic chinese food. stuff cooked up in the restaurants generally taste similar. for a real taste of local flavours you gotta head to those small time family diners where many people frequent. those are some of the best food i've tasted.
it's not that they have any secret culinary skills whatsoever. many a times it's the ingredients they use: sometimes what you get on the table might have been still alive just minutes ago, or got plucked from the fields a few hours prior. and everything on the menu depends on freshness. if the chef doesn't think the ingredients are fresh for the day, they generally wouldn't serve it.
after-hours:
not much night life around here. well at least i'm not party animal enough to actively seek them out. usually there's mahjong (everyone plays it), cards and tv. of course you get the usual mix of heavy smokers and drinkers for that.
strange phenomenon:
there's this cat around the neighbourhood that kept showing up. it's got these melancholic grey eyes, and just sits there and stares at you. and when you least expect it, it just shows up, but when you go looking for it, it never seems to be there. i've decided to name him mr. vedder, after my favourite singer eddie vedder. for the cat is full of mystery.
rugby:
i'm sorely missing some action. i can't even get any live streams until saturday's tri-nations clash. and things aren't going that smoothly with the boys either as i came to find out, mostly because of the absense of a coach. i hate it when shit like this happens, wanting to do something but lacking of the means to do it.
but then again it has never been smooth sailing, and will never be. it's all about keeping the faith and coming out of it twice the person you ever were.
there's no telling how many miles you have to run while chasing a dream, and when the world says give up, faith and hope says give it just one more shot.
+listening to: millworker by eddie vedder
Saturday, July 12
| of new philosophy, lucky bokke and so on... | |
i have a new philosophy in life: when in doubt, have faith in thy food.
i can't really remember much that has happened today because i felt like a zoo animal. it's nice to visit relatives and all, i just felt a bit lethargic and bored because i get the same questions about when i'm going to school and so on...
the highlight of the day was probably the food. the expression "to eat like a king" is more than appropriete.
and oh the man in black were beaten by the damn bokke on home turf. pure bad luck.
so back to topic: i can feel the fat rumbling through my veins and wrecking havoc on my coronary system. and i must be about 2 kilos heavier than i was in the morning. if this goes on, i don't know what would happen.
but having said that, i hope the culinary delights for tomorrow will even be better. anyway i was too busy eating to take photos of the food. understandable, really...
en route to food
still en route to food
yea i know i suck at taking pictures, i have no idea what that is
somewhere en route to food+listening to: ain't no sunshine by unknown
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Saturday, June 21
| poms to the slaughter | |
the scoreline tells its own story. 44 - 12 to the all blacks as england looked on in misery. for their 2nd and final test in the series, nothing they did could stop the men in black.
the star of the show was undoubtedly daniel carter. his return to top form has been nothing short of dazzling. no matter what the english did in defence, he could seemingly carve them apart with absolute ease and grace. commanding playmaking, a flawless display of kicking and silky smooth skills with the ball in hand, he is a true class act.
the only word to describe the men in black then is "clinical". they took the chances whenever one popped up unlike the english who perhaps dilly-dallied on the ball a wee bit too much for their own good. and maybe, just maybe they lack those crucial players that could bring out the spark in their plays. just look at new zealand, the depth of pure talent in their squad is astounding.
if i were a three-year-old watching the game, i might even think that the all blacks had cheated - obviously they were BIGGER, FASTER and BETTER.
+listening to: friday on my mind by gary moore
Saturday, June 14
| pre-departure, stand in black | |
woohoo! i'm still high from the pre-departure briefing for uni. kudos to the UIUC singapore students association for organising this event. it was completely the opposite of what i had in mind. the venue where it was held was also a really SUPERB and cozy lounge like place in raffles tower with a SPLENDID view. i just wish i lived there.
the briefing itself took up about an hour with some really helpful info and experiences from current seniors but what i really enjoyed was the lunch afterwards and mingling with all those really cool people. it's such a diverse group too with exchange students and freshmen mixed together but i mostly stuck to the freshmen group.
got to know some people from school who are going to UIUC as well, and i was quite shocked to see some familiar faces! that aside i just felt completely at home for some reason and made some funky new friends. stayed afterwards all the way till 2-ish chatting with the seniors and i'm really looking forward to college now!
and on a scintillating side-note, the men in black beat england in the most definitive of fashions. final score 37 - 20 to the all blacks. this ought to shut all the critics and cynics up for whatever reasons. they've demonstrated today that they're still a force to be reckoned with. and my man for today's test was ma'a nonu.
he's the most divine combination power, pace and skill for an inside center. it's the holy trinity of the perfect qualities coming together as one. the savagery slashing steps, the brute strength and the most exquisite handling abilities, it doesn't get any better than that. it's like seeing a young tana umaga but twice as brutal!
ok, off to watch the springboks cane wales again...
+listening to: aces high by iron maiden
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