Around 250 guests enjoyed the “2012 Indonesian Rugby Charity Lunch” last Saturday at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Jakarta. Entertainment was provided by emcee Justin ‘Sambo’ Sampson, who was joined on stage by former Wallabies Matt Cockbain and Nathan Grey, both of whom these days are Assistant Coaches at the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby franchise in Australia. Live rugby action between the All Blacks and Los Pumas, plus the Wallabies versus Springboks was shown on big screens as all in attendance enjoyed some great rugby camaraderie.
Prior to the live telecasts, it was Indonesian Rugby’s turn to let the guests know what the Union has been up to over the past year as well as announcing the recipients of the 2012 Indonesian Rugby Awards:
2012 Jamie Wellington Rugby Excellence Award – Alan Nye
2012 Spirit of Indonesian Rugby Award – Irawan Sudewa & Imas
2012 Indonesian Rugby Hall of Fame Inductees – Scott Lysaght, Merv Popadynec, Ben Roberts, Nathan Swain, Robert Thwaites, Jamie Wellington (2002 ISCI Rugby Club members killed in the Bali Bombings)
Following the announcement of the Hall of Fame Inductees whose plaques were received on the behalf of their families by Jamie Richards, who was a surviving member of the 2002 ISCI Rugby Club, a slide presentation in honour of the 27 Rugby players and supporters (including the 6 ISCI Rugby Club players) killed in the 2002 Bali Bombings was shown to the audience, who greeted the list of names from the Hong Kong Football Club, Singapore Cricket Club, Taipei Baboons and ISCI Rugby Club with an honourable applause.
On a more cheerful note there was a short video featuring Indonesian National Rugby Team Captain, Daniel Nugroho who is currently in Brisbane, Australia playing for the University of Queensland Rugby Club. However the video of the day was that featuring the Foxsports Rugby Club Team of Nick McArdle, Phil Kearns, Greg Martin and Brendan Cannon who told a few short stories about Matt Cockbain and Nathan Grey plus Alan Nye. This video captured the audience’s attention with many splitting their sides in laughter and it also left Nathan Grey with a bit of explaining to do in relation to a certain ‘teddy bear’ that was kidnapped on a Wallaby Tour.
Apart from raising awareness about Indonesian Rugby, the day also served as great way for the Union to raise some much needed funds for Rugby development for Indonesian children and youths. It was wonderful to see the gratitude of those in attendance as they dug deep in their pockets buying raffle tickets, merchandise and memorabilia items such as a Richie McCaw signed All Black training jersey and a Wallaby jersey signed by George Gregan, Matt Cockbain and Nathan Grey in the charity auction.
The Union is also very grateful to the following companies – Asiadrill, Atlas Copco, Fez by Aphrodite & the Aphrodite Group, Crane Worldwide Logistics, Qantas, Slaneys Butchery, Luna2 Studios and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, who were sponsors of the “2012 Indonesian Rugby Charity Lunch”. Thanks to the wonderful support of these companies plus the Union’s major sponsors Britmindo, Apple Coal, Intraco and Leighton all of the great work that Indonesian Rugby performs would not be possible.
Indonesian Rugby says many thanks to Matt and Nathan who both proved to be great ambassadors for the Wallabies, the Melbourne Rebels and most importantly the game of Rugby. The Union is also very thankful to Justin who organised Matt and Nathan to come up to Jakarta and also thank him for once again being at his entertaining best. Last but least, Indonesian Rugby would also like to thank all of those in attendance, without whom the day would not have been the success that it was!!! See you all again in 2013.