SEOUL SURVIVORS

RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Maybe Next Weekend
IN BRIEF:

• Training is on at Jamwon Rugby

Pitch every Saturday at 10am. As
per usual.

• An optional training session is

being organized for Wednesday
V O L U M E 2 I S S U E 1 M A R C H 2 0 1 0
evenings. Keep on an eye out for
the latest info.

Training with JK
• Full contact rugby teams are
springing up all over the pen-
insula. To participate in your
local area check out the
‘Expat Rugby’ link at the
Survivors website.

• 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.

• First YSC game April 24th in

Guangzhou.

CONTENTS:

Page 2: JK Dinner, Lost Survi-

vors.

Page 3: Player Profile - James

Tucker.

Page 4: Old articles.

Page 5: Survivors Mailbag.

Page 6: Busan Trip, Pitch Di-

rections. John Kirwan demonstrates new defensive techniques to an attentive Survivors outfit.

WEBSITE: By Kurt Taogaga astic contingent of Colts players, the Survivors

www.survivorsrfc.com
In a huge coup for the Oakwood Seoul Survivors,
the team was able to hold a training session on a
chilly Wednesday night at the Seoul Foreign
School under the tutelage of All Black legend
John Kirwan. Hero of the 1987 Rugby World Cup
and the face of depression awareness in New
Zealand, Kirwan enjoyed a career in rugby that
straddled both the amateur and professional eras
and has experienced the upheavals and the op-
portunities that money brought to the game at that
crucial juncture.
Unsurprisingly, the turnout was strong for a
chance to train under the current coach of the
Japanese national squad. Bolstered by an enthusi-
were immediately put through their paces with
warm-up variations on touch rugby designed to
keep players moving at maximum speed and
thinking on their toes at all times. JK, as he is
affectionately known, also introduced a series of
drills that he uses with the Japanese national
squad to develop those players’ core skills in
passing, catching and tackling. The drills have
already been enthusiastically adopted by the Sur-
vivors’ coaching staff and players alike. JK re-
ferred to these drills as the Japanese players’ ‘rice
and miso’, meaning that they were the basic staple
of the Japanese national squad’s training sessions.
If the Survivors adopt these practices as their ‘rice
and kimchi’ perhaps the squad can go one better
in the Yellow Sea Cup for 2010.
 A Legendary Night with JK
By Jacob Leonard
How many “Rugby Legends” have you
met? For a few lucky Survivors, that
number is at least one. On the 18th of
February, the New Zealand Chamber
of Commerce presented “A Night with
John Kirwan.” The dinner was held at
the Grand Hyatt, a place Survivors
usually do not frequent. First, the
guests were treated with heaps of free
or complementary beers and wine.
They spared no expenses to provide
the best of both. “Captain Cooker”, a
fine Manuka Beer, and Hunter’s wine
(Simon’s stash) were given to all who
attended. Following introductions,
attendees were graced with a J.K. Survivors toast the night with former All Black legend John Kirwan.
speech. He spoke about life as an All
Black and how tough times can be scenes from 1987 made the dinner a together, nearly 4.5 million won was
made easier with the help of others. special night for everyone especially raised to aid in the future of rugby.
The guests were then treated to an the Kiwis in the house. Following Finally, guests were able to chat and
outstanding spread. During that lamb dinner and the “gay Auckland winger” drink the night away. They were able
and beetroot jam feast, big screens highlights, an auction was held to raise to ask the “World Cup Winning
flashed highlight footage of J.K.’s days money for rugby for foreign children Winger” his thoughts on rugby and life.
as an All Black. Rugby World Cup here on the Korean Peninsula. All (Continued on page 6)

Survivors Rebuilding in 2010

The Oakwood Seoul Survivors have taken some hits this year. In 2009 and early this year, we have lost or are about to
lose the services of some longstanding Survivors as well as those who were only here briefly but contributed what they
could in the time they were with us.

Let’s see this as an opportunity to blood new players on the field and in organizational roles and recruit others to join our
great club and keep the momentum going this year. If I have missed anyone from the list below, please forgive me.

Nick Abas Returned to Canada

Cameron Bolstad Returned to New Zealand
Jonathon Decesari Moved to Mexico
John Goddard Moved to Hong Kong
Aisea Hoeft Moved to Italy
Sebastian Ibarra Returned to the USA
Richard Jones Returned to New Zealand
David Judge Returned to England
RJ Karas Moved to Australia
Rawiri King Moved to Taiwan
Juan Nieto Returned to Venezuela
Justin Painter Moved to Turkey
Hendrick Perry Moved to Hawaii
Rafael Valdez Returned to Paraguay
Alexander Walsh Returned to New Zealand

Best of luck to all these Survivors in all their future endeavours!

 Player Profile: James Tucker
Nickname: The Stain
Position: Centre
Birthdate: 21/03/1983
Hometown: Wendover, England

James “The Stain” Tucker has anchored the Survivors

potent backline throughout 2009. His no-nonsense at-
tack and confrontational tackling style earned him the
respect of his peers and a starting spot in this season’s
big fixtures. An unusual sternum injury punctuated his
season, leaving The Stain sideline for much of the Fall.
Having recuperated in time for the 10s at Yonsei, he’ll
be looking to confirm his spot in a competitive 2010
line up.

First rugby memory:

The wing is no place to be during English winters.

What are you doing in Korea?

Teaching and rearing kids.

Favourite thing about Korea:

The food and the cost of living.

Least favourite thing about Korea: What are your interests outside rugby?
Litter and shoddy architecture and a lack of proper ba- I do a lot of painting.
con.

Do you have a favourite quote or saying?

What do you enjoy about your position?
Crash ball and tackling.
What don’t you like about your position?
Not a lot right now.
Do you have a good luck charm/ritual for games?
A good strong cuppa a few hours before.
The whole of the British Empire was built on cups of
tea and if you think I’m going to war without one,;
you’re mistaken, mate – Nick Moran, “Lock, Stock and
Two Smoking Barrels”.
How would you like to improve yourself off the
rugby field?
Better disciplined and more driven.

If you were to die tomorrow, what would you be

What do you miss most about home?
remembered for?
Mates, family, London.
Being a good mate, a good Dad and for my painting.

What do you like most at training?

Tackling practice.

What do you like least at training?

Realising how uncoordinated and unflexible I am during
Jonny’s drills .
 Stories From Last Year...
Due to technical difficulties a number of stories went unpublished last year. They will be reproduced here for posterity.

The Survivors Travelling Road Show

By Brian Bruckman
On October 10th a small contingent of
boys from Seoul left their lair to sup-
port rugby in the small town of Gumi,
which is just outside of Daegu.
Originally the game was planned as a
friendly game of 15s but numbers
were quite surprisingly weak, espe-
cially from the Seoul side. With
numbers being a problem, the game
was changed to four quarters of 10s.
With just two subs on each side after
Seoul donated two, the game began.
Playing against a hardy foreign side
that was quite evenly matched the
game was quite competitive. The first
try was scored quite unknowingly as
there were no lines on the grass field
that was in the middle of farm country.
A huge lifting tackle by the defense
actually brought the ball down in the try
zone, unknown by the ball carrier, which
was more intent on not loosing the ball in
contact than to worry about actually
scoring.
The game was filled with huge
hits, loads of stolen ball and a bunch of
nice tries on both sides. By the second
half, the sub situation was looking grim as
injury started to creep in. Both sides
showed excellent potential and rugby was
the real winner of the day. The final score
was 3 tries Seoul, 2 tries Gumi. (We
could have seen a higher scoring game if
someone would have known that you
can’t run the ball out of the try zone!) No
worries the infraction was punished later
at the sponsor bar.
Off to the bar and apart from
excellent rugby, the Gumi team really
knows how to have a social. The local
team combined the after party with Ok-
toberfest celebrations. What a novel idea,
large amounts of beer to be consumed
with a bar full of rugby players. Need-
less to say it was a hit. After numerous
boat races, nail hammering competitions
and the occasional dance display, the
boys turned in. All waiting until the next
time we meet up and play the boys from
Gumi.
A special thanks to those who
made the trip. (Wish there were more.) It
is imperative that we as a team support
all rugby in Korea, especially smaller
teams just trying to make a start. If we
can foster good relations and support
other teams, they will prosper in return
and give us more of what we want.
RUGBY!

Survivors Overcome Spirited Beijing

By Kurt Taogaga

The Oakwood Seoul Survi-

vors capped off what is likely
to be their final Yellow Sea
Cup match for 2009 with a
hard-fought 22-3 victory
over long-time rivals the
Beijing Red Devils.
In a later than usual 4pm
kickoff, the Survivors made
tough work of their fall out-
ing as the light dimmed over
Seoul’s Jamwon rugby pitch.
The undermanned Beijing
showed huge mettle in de-
fence and good tactical nous
to lead 3-0 at the break via a Jeff Rands leads the forward pack on another Survivor foray into the Beijing defence.
penalty chance from one of
the Seoulites’ numerous ruck
infringements in the first half. man was binned before the to slot their own penalty the Grey and Blacks with
A torrent of penalties against break for dangerous play. opportunity and level the massive bench contributions
the locals and poor handling The home team spurred scores at 3-3 through the from forwards John God-
skills contributed to a lack- itself into action in the sec- boot of five-eighth Richard dard, Jeff Rands and wreck-
lustre opening half and Seoul ond half, down to 14 men Jones. Rolling the reserves ing machine Tobias Jerling
did itself no favours when and under huge pressure ten minutes into the second ensuring the home squad
hardy warhorse Brian Bruck- from the crowd, managing spell worked wonders for front foot ball and turning
Survivors Overcome Spirited Beijing

Survivors’ Mail Bag

(Continued from page 4)

around a previously stagnant effort. Also,

some incisive running from debutant
fullback Adrian Konstant off the bench Surprisingly enough the mailbag was a
brought much needed attacking focus in bit empty this week ... although with the
the backline. holidays and whatnot it is understand-
The improved performance lead to Seoul able. Remember, any questions that
finally breaking the deadlock midway
through the second half when captain
you might have for any member of the
and man-of-the-match Simon Walsh Survivors are welcome at:
regathered a lucky bounce to score from survivorsmailbag@gmail.com.
15 metres out and send a ripple through Do you want to know where The Stain got his nick name?
the crowd. Walsh’s try signalled a dip in What’s up with the landing strip on Dan Grover’s chin?
fortune for the Devils and prompted the
Survivors to throw around a lot more
Maybe you’d like to know the proper way to straddle a
ball and successfully find space in a sheep ... God knows we have enough Kiwis on the team
tired Beijing defensive line. A brilliant to figure that one out. Again, any question is a good
team movement was finished off by cen- question!!! For now, though, we will leave you with a brief
tre Kurt Taogaga juggling a Walsh re- bit of humor at Australia’s expense...
verse flick pass to barge over the line
and send the game almost out of the
Devil’s reach. Number eight John God- “Robbie Deans takes the Wallabies out for a
dard then put the final nail in the coffin
showing great strength and vision to training run and first up he tells everyone to
crash down and send the supporters into assume their
overdrive and allow the home side to
remain without loss at Jamwon in 2009. normal position.
Nevertheless, the local boys were lucky So they all go
to come away with such a scoreline
which rather flattered the Survivors and and stand behind
wasn’t a fair indication of the Devils
excellent defensive effort. Had the Dev- the goalposts
ils travelled with a full complement of and wait for the
players, the outcome could have been
very different. The Survivors will take a conversion.”
few hard lessons from the game, while
Beijing will take heart in the fact that
they kept a normally rampant Survivors
scoreless for 40 minutes with only 17
players to call on. Despite the win, the
Survivors lack of a bonus point leaves
the fate of the Yellow Sea Cup out of
their hands. The Devils now face favour-
ites Shanghai in the Chinese capital. All
the Survivors can do is watch and wait.

Credits
Editor: Kurt Taogaga
Co-editor: Ali McCannell
Contributing writers: Brian
Bruckman, Jacob Leonard
and Kurt Taogaga
Photos: JK Training, Beijing -
Robin Ash; Busan - Sunny
Myung. Jacob Leonard struggles against Beijing’s smothering defensive line.
A Legendary ight with John Kirwan
(Continued from page 2)
Most that attended stayed until all the
wine bottles fell empty. Special thanks
go out to the New Zealand Chamber of
Commerce for promoting rugby here in
Korea, Dan Grover for the Survivors
table, Simon Walsh for the great mi-
crophone work, Ian and Roddy for
buying a couple of awesome jerseys for
charity, and J.K. for his time. A great
rugby player, a great night, and a per-
fect cause made “A Night with John
Kirwan” a perfect evening.
Survivors Take the Show to Busan
By Kurt Taogaga
The weekend of the 27th of February,
the Survivors took an expanded squad
to Korea’s second city to take on the
Busan National University Eagles and
the Maritime University on an unex-
pectedly cold and windswept day in the
peninsula’s south. The Eagles proved a
worthy opponent for the Survivors us-
ing their speedy backs to score the first
try and threaten the line on numerous
occasions throughout the match. How-
ever, the Survivors were too large and
well-drilled for the relatively novice
Eagles and managed to eke out a win by
a couple of tries over the Busanites.
The Survivors also took on the Mavrik
Jeon-coached Maritime University in
10s after the Eagles match. Both
matches were played in good spirits and
refereed very professionally. The Sur-
vivors were also complemented by
players from the Gyeongnam Night-
hawks and the Ulsan Panthers through-
out the day. The Panthers also had a
good 10s hit out against the Samsung
Old Boys Club and look to have some
very talented players on their roster.
The co-operation between the three
expat sides and the quality of the play-
ers from Gyeongnam and Ulsan bode
well for the future of the game among
expats in South Korea.
Post-match, the teams met up for a
fantastic meal of Busan Samgyeopsal
and refreshments further cementing the
links between the clubs. Hopefully this
encounter will provide all the clubs
involved the incentive to organize more
quality rugby matches throughout the
country.

Public Transport:
Apgujeong Station (#335) Exit 6. Walk down the road for about 500 meters and then turn right between Shinsa Middle School
and Hyundai High School. Walk to the end of the road and turn left at the T-
T-junction. Keep walking, after 75 meters there is a
tunnel on your right. This takes you under the Olympic Expressway and brings you out in a car park by the river. The rugby pitch
pitch
is on the right of the car park.

Driving:
Go south over Hannam bridge over the Olympic Expressway, turn right towards Apgujeong Stn. The road loops around and you
head east parallel with the river but south of the Olympic Expressway. After 500m turn left at the traffic light between Shinsa
Shinsa
Middle and Hyundai High schools. Go to the end of the road, turn left and after 75m turn right through the tunnel under the
Olympic Expressway. The rugby pitch is on the right of the car park.