Bandar Blacks jr vs National Team

Sunday, June 15, 2008
1

Today, I played Tighthead. Not a normal position I'd play on, but Moon (team mate) suggested I use this opportunity to make use of my body in the scrum. I did not argue. I haven't stepped into Tighthead since I had that chest injury from that Knights game (last year, my 2nd Rugby game). One fact caught my attention though: my opponent is Hansie, my Sixers Rugby coach.

I targeted him most of the time during the whole game. Despite getting a blow from his shoulder and forearm (at the lips), I managed to pull him from above, pressing my body weight against him to the ground.

But the best contest had to be the Scrums. It isn't normal that I get excited whenever I face my coach (and Zani's GP teacher, something I can brag about). We both lay impact at each other most of the time. Though he may be the bigger player, but with enough technique, I was able to hold him with only a foot's distance to feed the ball on my side. Tighthead's have to keep the weight of 2 steady, and Hansie is a giant.

The scrum contests instead became another learning experience. My coach is teaching me techniques again ^_^

2

"You guys did incredible," said Ben Peacocke after the Blacks defeat. It was thought to be a portent, an obvious prediction. However, it is a striking fact that despite the number of tries scored by the national team, it never reached 50 points.

"I was thinking we'll get a 100-nil with these guys!" my team mate said. "60 at least! But under 50?!"

No, I don't doubt the National team's playing. They were flawless in their offense and incredible defense. I'm talking about the Blacks Jrs.

Who would have thought that newbies like myself could learn the magical Blacks defensive line this quickly? Daily training and a few practice games among ourselves had gotten us pretty far ahead with the Blacks system.

"It's gonna get harder than this during the PSK*," what Cliff said reminded us of the tough competition we'll be experiencing this month.
The Army and ABDB for example. Then the Pythons and Yaughties. And the Knights!
I asked myself whether I will survive this season. We are facing some of the toughest competition and without our best Senior players in the team, would the combination of the U18 and the rest the Seniors be a good idea?

But I remembered the motto, 'Once you go Black.. you go home in a wheelchair!' Seeing Cliff holding a walking stick, I thought, 'Yeah, that's how I wanna end it..' I know I'm in an entirely new league with these boys, but I made this choice. I went Black the moment I stepped into training.

It's wheelchair or bust.

*Pesta Sukan Kebangsaan

0 comments: