(19 July 2008, Jakarta, Indonesia)
The Indonesia Rugby Football Union beat Cambodia today to sweep both of its first ever home test matches and win the HSBC Asian Five Nations Regional Tournament in Jakarta. Today’s 55 – 3 demolition of Cambodia followed Indonesia’s 23 – 11 win over Laos on Tuesday, 15 July, 2008.

In the third and final game of the tournament, Indonesia scored seven tries to romp past Cambodia in front of an appreciative home crowd. Laos finished as Tournament runners-up after their 33 – 0 opening win over Cambodia on Saturday 12 July 2008 and the narrow defeat to the hosts.

Despite giving up considerable size to Indonesia, Cambodia started as the stronger side, matching their obvious pace with some highly committed tackling and effective scrimmaging technique to dominate the opening quarter. Similarly to their earlier match against Laos, Indonesia was a bit slow out of the blocks before finding their structure behind a great day from fly half Kirk Arundale. Arundale finished with 25 points from a try, seven conversions and two penalties.

Indonesia’s Papuan wings and fullback Sylvester and Ben Peter also provided an important injection of pace and some silky breaks to set-up several Indonesian tries. Fullback Peter was the first to exploit the gaps after taking an errant clearance kick by Cambodia at the halfway line to nearly score beneath the posts. After being dragged down at the five-metre line by Cambodian flanker Vannak Vong, who was tireless in defence today, Indonesian second row Stephen Barber, playing well in support, scooped up the loose ball to trundle over from up close.

It was Barber’s third try in two games, making him the Tournament’s leading try scorer. A successful conversion from Arundale brought the score to 7 – nil Indonesia. Minutes later Indonesian centre Nathan Flax scored his first of two tries on the day, which was again converted by Arundale to bring Indonesia’s lead to 14 – 0. A penalty by Arundale in the 40th minute closed out the first half scoring at 17 – 0 Indonesia.

After the evenly contested first half, Cambodia suffered some crucial lapses of concentration in the first five minutes after the interval. The Koupreys of Cambodia gave up two demoralizing tries within the first five minutes after play resumed with the first going to Arundale and the next to Flax, his second of the day. After two more Arundale conversions, the score was 31 – 0 Indonesia.

Fullback Ben Peter then enjoyed the reward for his jinking runs today by crossing over in the 58th minute. His try was converted to bring the score to 38 – 0.

Indonesia was relentless in the second half, starving the Cambodian XV of possession. Tries from winger Sylvester and reserve second row Victor brought the score to 52 – 0 with Arundale’s successful conversions. Cambodia got on the scoreboard with a successful penalty from fullback Malen Sun in the 71st minute, earning some well-deserved appreciation from the crowd for the team’s gutsy performance throughout the HSBC Asian Five Nations Regional Tournament in Jakarta.

A penalty from Indonesian Fly-half Arundale in the 75th minute brought the total to the final score of 55 – 3.

Today’s convincing win extends Indonesia’s home winning streak to two wins from two tests and gave the home side the added bonus of defending its home ground to become the inaugural champions of the HSBC Asian Five Nations Regional Tournament – Jakarta.

15 July 2008, Jakarta, Indonesia
Kick off time at 16:00 today saw the host nation Indonesia take on a spirited and confident Lao team in the second game of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Rugby Tournament currently being held at Pelita Harapan University Sports Stadium in Karawaci, Tangerang.

Although considered favorites, the Rhinos (Indonesia) faced a Lao team that ‘trounced’ their rivals Cambodia last Saturday, 33 - 0, in a confident display of fast-paced rugby.

Lao, having wrestled the Mekong Cup from Cambodia, went into today’s match charged, knowing they had the potential to be the spoilers of this tournament.

Indeed the first 5 minutes saw Lao up 5-0, after a back move turned into a rolling maul and over they went. However within 5 minutes the Indonesian no. 2, Afandy Van hein, charged a 22 drop out, and Steve Barber, crossed over the try line for the Rhinos first.

The second try by the Rhinos occurred on the 20 minute mark after a lineout win and a number of phases of passing back and forth ended with a final charge that saw Steve Barber go over for his second try next to the posts, and the successful conversion made it 12 – 5.

The Rhinos again came close twice over the next 10 minutes and were finally rewarded with a penalty right in front of the posts which took the score to 15 -5.

In the final minutes of the first half, Lao came close with the winger just losing the ball near the corner of the Indonesian try line.

The first 10 minutes of the second half was all Lao, and we got to see Lao begin to dominate the Rhinos scrum. A beautiful back move saw the number 10 for Lao chip over the top putting the Rhinos well on the back foot, but an illegal tackle by an Indonesian player on a Lao chaser stopped what could have arguably been a try. Laos opted for a 5 meter scrum and the ensuing play led to a penalty right in front of the posts which was duly kicked, making the score 15 -8.

Within 2 minutes Lao again had an opportunity to convert a penalty and moved the score to 15 – 11.

The Rhinos began to gain the ascendancy and found themselves driving towards the Lao try line. However, Lao stood firm and finally cleared the ball.

By the 60th minute the Rhinos had worked their way back into the Lao 22 when they were given a penalty for an offside infringement by the Lao team, and the successful conversion, by Kirk Aditya Arundale, made it 18 – 11.

The Lao team put in a great effort and showed some great back moves, keeping the Rhinos guessing, and were unlucky not to be rewarded after one move showed great promise but led to a knock-on.

The Rhinos were given a penalty in the final minute of the match and went for touch,
gaining a lineout on the 5 meter line. After winning the lineout the Rhinos pushed for the line with a rolling maul. Despite Lao stopping it in its tracks, the “Man Mountain”, Yudah Ramon peeled off and scored the final try of the match. The conversion went wide giving a final score on the hooter at 23 – 11.

This victory for the Rhinos puts them closer to taking the tournament spoils, but will have to beat Cambodia on Saturday 19th to succeed. If they do they may earn the right to step up to Divisional qualifications as long as they maintain this form.