Marc Mercier (1968-2009) - Born in the Paris suburbs, he played the game of
rugby from an early age and preferred to play at Fly-Half or Centre,
although was comfortable anywhere in the Backs.

He first came to Asia around 1993, as an employee of Ricard (the French
distiller), for whom he began working in Vietnam, and there he created a
rugby club so that he could play his beloved game. A pattern that he would
repeat elsewhere.

After 3 years in Vietnam, in 1996 he moved to Indonesia as Director of the
French Chamber of Commerce. He naturally joined ISCI rugby club where he
participated in a number of tours, including the 1998 tour to Manila and
Hong Kong, and was also an active committee member. Here he helped create a
French oriented team called the Rubipedes who played with the expected
Gallic flair. It was in Jakarta that he met his wife Anne, who hailed from
Scotland.

In 1999 he left Indonesia for Turkey, where he created yet another rugby
team, called the Ottoman Rugby Club, who would become the first Turkish
rugby champions. After 4 years in Turkey he returned to France, where he
continued to play rugby at the Union Athletique Vernoise (a small club close
to the town of Perigueux). He died at around 6.30 pm on Saturday June 13th
2009, during a game of rugby, 10 minutes from the game’s. He was 41 years
old.

Gerard Gioffredo, a friend and fellow Rubiped commented “Marc ’s was
dedicated as a club manager, treasurer, sheriff on tour, etc. That says it
all, we all loved this guy, and always will”

He is survived by his wife Anne and 2 children, daughter Axelle (7 years)
and Dylan (3 years). The thoughts of the whole Indonesian Rugby
Community are with them at this sad time.

Attached is a photo of the Rubipedes at the Bali 10s in 1997. Marc is second
left, front row” (Click to enlarge)

After some aborted rounds, much confusion and other associated hijinks, the IRFU is proud to announce that Saturday the 14th of June saw some rugby played in the capital. Following the debacle of a no-show in Bandung and some extraordinary tardiness the week before at SPH, Tangerang, the Rams and the Samurai turned out for the 3rd and 4th place play off.

With only a minute gone, the tape was broken as Rams stalwart Moses Kalo crossed for what would be the first of many five-pointers. Several even got converted in contravention of the unofficial policy of no more than ten extra points per game. With the wind in their sails and a depleted Japanese side never recovering, the Rams ran out 95-15 winners.

The main course was to be the unbeaten ISCI Komodos facing the underrated youngsters of the Bantengs. And although the predicted fait accompli was fulfilled, the 61-0 score line, the lowest the Komodos have been held to all season, reflected the gains the young Banteng side has made.

The trophy was presented to the ISCI lads, but not before Indonesian Rugby’s boy wonder, Bantengs Daniel Rahadian was presented with the player of the tournament award.

The IRFU would like to thank sponsors Fez, Coca Cola, OSI, the referees, players and supporters for making the tournament such a success.

That’s right! You heard it here first. Following hot on the heels of the Business Lunch in March, the IRFU is proud to announce the annual Dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Mega Kuningan (and not Pacific Place, for the geographically challenged).

This year’s guest speaker is none other than Lions and England player, Mr. Rory Underwood. The event will feature dinner, drinks, speeches and no less than TWO test matches live on the big screen, with the Wallabies taking on the French and the South Africans vs the Lions.

The event starts at 4p.m. and goes till late, so get some sleep in before the event. In the words of IRFU secretary, David Nye, “It’s impossible to be any more excited about this event than I already am. Grace is already choosing my cocktail frock!”

Please download the form here and fax to 021 392 9027

See the poster for more details.

The lads at Britcham have asked us to give a shout out for their upcoming FA cup event at Hotel Intercontinental on the 30th of May.

As with all things football-related in this town, it is sure to be bigger than Ben Hur, so be there or be square!

Due to the battering that teams handed out to each other at last week’s Jakarta 10’s, the scheduled round of matches for the Fez by Aphrodite Cup was abandoned due to lack of available players, save for the Bantengs, who gain a pat on the head and 4 points for turning up mob handed.

Rugby fans were treated to a fine display of tens at the ISCI ground, with the Bantengs rolling out two teams, young ‘uns and old ‘uns who gave us a 40-minute preview of what the future holds in store for Indonesian Rugby.

Depleted by exams as well, the Rams were dented by a one-sided show against league leaders, the Komodos, but when they joined forces and mixed teams at half time we were treated to a fine display of running rugby. The Rams finally had some go forward, amazing what a forward pack who is not possessed by the ghosts of a Queensland State of Origin backline can do! Finishing 27-26 at full time, it was well worth the watching, pardon the alliteration.

So, what is in store for the rest of the competition? Well, the elves here at IRFU HQ can now reveal the rest of the schedule in its full glory.

May 23rd (AKA buy the GM a beer for his birthday round).

Location, Sekolah Pelita Harapan, Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang

12pm. Komodos vs Samurai
2pm Bantengs vs Bandung

May 30th (As you were)

Location, Jakarta International School

4pm Bandung vs Samurai
6pm Bantengs vs Komodos

June 6th (AKA the “up-the-mountain-we-go round)

Location, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Lembang, Bandung

12pm Bandung vs Samurai
2pm Bantengs vs Komodos

June 13th (All’s well that ends well)

Location, JIS

4pm Playoff, 3rd vs 4th
6pm Playoff, 1st vs 2nd