Saturday 11 May 2012, BIS
Kick off – 2.15pm
What was dubbed to be one of the biggest club games of the season with arch-rivals Komodos and Bantengs, turned out to be quite subdued and an anti-climax for all those in attendance. Due to unforeseen circumstances from the Bantengs that were unable to field a full 15 man team, in fact in total only 14 Banteng players showed up ranging from the veterans in “sugar daddy” Tito to the young and fresh talents of Adrian. Club captain of the Komodos Gareth Rae and Bantengs Chairman Fikri Al Azhar together with PRUI Chairman and National Team coach Jamie Jonston agreed to continue the day with a 10-a side 3 x 10mins thirds game instead. It was imperative that the National team selectors had a good look at some potential players for the RHINOS from both teams.
Although the final result was 40-14 in favour of the Komodos, there were some very good performances from both teams. Daniel Nugroho and Kyle Larson were very impressive for the Komodos loose forwards while for the Bantengs John Taylor, Yucil, Agustian and rising star Adrian held strong for the predominant all-Indonesian Club. This game was a good opportunity for players in contention for selection to the RHINOS train-on squad to cement their place and reassure selectors of their presence in the team.
The biggest surprise and eye-opener for Jamie and Bobby as National Selectors was young Adrian from the Bantengs. Never before had we seen this young lad play but last Saturday was truly destiny for both Adrian and the RHINOS. Strong in defence and hard running with the ball, young Adrian has the true makings of an international player for the mighty RHINOS. He will surely get an invitation to the train-on squad. Another surprise packet for the day was Kyle Larson, originally from Canada but with residency status of 3 years here in Indonesia, qualifies him for National Team selection. Both Jamie and Bobby were also impressed with his performance.
Saturday’s result puts the Komodos on top of the Jak XV’s series and would see them playing in the final next week against Jago Dulu. But after discussions and negations between all parties involved it is in the best interest of Indonesian Rugby that the final be cancelled and the Komodos declared winners of the 2012 Jak XV’s series for the 4th year in a row. So congratulations to the Komodos on another very good year. Hence next weekend’s game can be focused on final selection opportunities for the RHINOS squad. In other words the game next Saturday to be played at JIS will be a Komodos vs a final Indonesian Baa Baas team for the benefit of the National Team selection process.
Stay tuned for final National Team selection to the train-on squad. A list of approximately 30 players will be announced by the Chairman of PRUI accordingly with final selection as a result of the training camp from the National Team coach Jamie Jonston and his assistant Simon Jones.