Philippine Volcanoes Rugby team takes on Asia’s best
On a sweltering afternoon in the Volcanoes' training facility in Silangan, Laguna, members of the Philippine Men's National Rugby team took to the field to kick off their regular afternoon training.
Oddly enough, a few of them, including Justin “Flying Jeepney” Coveney, were singing S Club 7's infectious hit “Bring It All Back” while limbering up on the field.
“As you can tell, there's no lack of team spirit” quipped head coach Jarred Hodges with a smile.
The Philippine Volcanoes will need more than spirit in the coming weeks as they face the very best of Asian Rugby in the Elite Division of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations competition.
Last year the Philippines topped Division 1, which is actually the second tier of Asian Rugby Union, by mowing down Singapore and Chinese Taipei before defeating a very game Sri Lankan squad 28-18. All the matches were played in front of enthusiastic crowds at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.
ALSO READ: Boston Marathon organizers say race will return in 2014.
The first-place finish propelled the Volcanoes to the top tier of the A5N, alongside five-time A5N champs Japan, Korea Republic, United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong. At this level the teams play a round-robin over the next few weeks, with the bottom team getting kicked down to Division 1.
Two of the Volcanoes games will be at home and the other two on the road.
Should the Philippines finish fourth or better in the competition, they stay in the top flight for 2014 and have a chance at the 2015 IRB (International Rugby Board) World Cup in England. The top Asian team in 2014 gets direct entry into the World Cup, while the second-placer goes into a repechage (second chance) playoff with a team from the Americas, with the winner of that game squaring off against either a European or African team for the last World Cup place.
Hodges succeeds former head coach Expo Mejia, who has commitments teaching Rugby in Japan but will fly back to support his former charges. Hodges is realistic about the Philippines' goals for this competition as well as next year's A5N.
“We had a big meeting two nights ago to set goals” says Hodges, who recently coached Australia's schoolboy Rugby team. “We are aiming for 3rd place for the first year, then in twelve months time we hope to be that second team in Asia and get that shot at progression into the World Cup.”
“It will be difficult to knock Japan off” adds Hodges. The Volcanoes start the campaign with a game against the Brave Blossoms in Fukuoka on Saturday.
“They are a professional organization with professional teams, competitions and staff. The other nations don't have the luxury of a professional competition.”
ALSO READ: Coach: Timor Leste will be very advanced in five years.
Japan has won every single A5N competition since its inception in 2008 and have been regular participants in the World Cup since the first one in 1987.
But ironically, the strength of Japanese Rugby is a boon to Pinoy Rugby.
“Their league regulations allow two Asian passport holders per team. So we are fortunate to have seven members of our national side playing professionally in Japan. If we can push more of our players to play in Japan, that will strengthen Philippine Rugby as well.”
Both captain Michael Letts and his brother, scrum half Jake, play in Japan.
Michael Letts is excited about the team's prospects, especially since they will be together for an extended period of time, for once.
“The biggest challenge is coming together as a group a week before the first game. But this is a long tournament. Usually we're together for three weeks then we are out of here. Scary to think how well we will gel being together for a month this time” says the fullback.
Many of the Volcanoes from last year's campaign will be returning, like all-time leading try scorer Matthew Saunders, winger Patrice Olivier, Coveney, flyhalf Cleo Gomez, Matt Bellenie, and forwards Chris Hitch, Austin Dacanay and Jake Ward.
Unfortunately Oliver Saunders is out with a knee injury and will only be fit in June at the earliest, after the tournament. That means the placekicking duties, so important in Rugby Union, fall to Gareth Holgate.
ALSO READ: UFL: Meralco hammers Army 10-1, Global overcomes Pasargad.
Letts its confident that the core, which has been together for the last two years, will provide the leadership and experience to drive the team to success.
Hodges is hopeful that new faces like flyhalf Alexander Aronson from California and Jeff Gregson, who plays semi-pro ball in the UK, could make an impact.
Letts sees this success of the Volcanoes spurring growth of the game in the country, to the point where homegrown talents can suit up for the national team.
“Ten years on I'd like to come back and see the local guys playing for the national side.”
Hodges says it can happen one day but he refuses to put a timetable to it.
“Its about working hard, and developing the grassroots level. It could happen in one year or five years, it's a difficult one to predict. It's up to the individual player and if he gets exposure at high level rugby, as well as training and preparation.”
The Volcanoes kicked off their preparation with a tune-up match against a Philippines “A” team of fringe players and locally-based players last Monday. The Volcanoes won 53-0 but some of the “A” players did impress Hodges and Letts, like Rudolf Zappia and Johnny Morales.
The coach's strategy for the four games is simple: “Use the ball, use our width, and allow the players to express themselves. We have fast and skillfull players.”
Hopefully the Philippine 15-a-side team will replicate the success of the 7-a-side squad, which qualified for the Rugby Sevens World Cup in Russia later on in the year.
The next chapter of the Philippines Volcanoes begins on Saturday when they meet Japan on a hostile ground in Fukuoka. You can watch it live at 1:00 pm on Star Sports.
Perhaps the team can draw inspiration from that early millennium ditty that Justin Coveney was singing on the training pitch.
Don't stop, never give up
Hold your head high and reach the top
Let the whole world see what you have got
Bring it all back to you.
VOLCANOES SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 20 – Philippines at Japan 1:00 pm.
Saturday, May 4, Hong Kong at Philippines (Rizal Memorial Football Stadium)
Saturday May 11, Philippines at Korea Republic
Saturday, May 18, United Arab Emirates at Philippines (Rizal Memorial Football Stadium)
Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg333. Follow the Volcanoes @PhilippineRugby.
