meet the larrikins
Rugby Lovers Guide spends a weekend with one of Manila 10s most committed touring sides.
INTRODUCTION
It was at the 2017 Manila 10s when I first met Michael Templeton and the Larrikins, and it left a positive impression on me. So when Tempo asked me to come on board in 2018 I jumped at the chance. For while I had covered plenty of Asian tournaments this would be one of the few chances to experience an Asian Rugby tournament through the eyes of a touring team.
Wednesday
9.30pm - After booking into my Makati hotel I made a beeline to the Handle Bar for a burger, fries a beer or two (or three) to catch up with Tempo and meet the Larrikin crew. Tempo introduced me to the Larrkins Brains trust. Straight off I recognised Zoe from her submission into last years Asian Rugby Awards and straight away she was as organised and energetic as her reputation suggested. But Zoe was the tip of the ice berg. Her husband Gary was there on the scene organsing tomorrow's golf along with their son Talan another Larrikin's virgin attending as the strapper. There was also Christine and Ray Mead who had been long term supporters of the Larrikins over their 18 years existance. This was when it dawned on me that more then just a bunch of players, the Larrikins where a family
After two hours at the Handle Bar, I stumbled back to the hotel ready to start my Larrikin experience, with golf.
THURSDAY
Morning - I never have been, nor ever will be a golfer. But the chance to get out of the Manila rat race and meet more Larrikins on a quiet course was very appealing. There were about 15 of us and we broke into three playing groups. I floated between the three groups watching each group averaging around par. Even when the ball was swapped with a raw egg, everyone seemed to play with grace and ability. We rolled into the club house around 3pm for some authentic Filipino cusine, cold beers and good banter. For Manila it was unsually cool day and we thorougly enjoyed it.
Night - I have a few vague memories from Thursday night. I remember meeting at a great bar to eat pizza's that looked larger then us, me getting into a rant about how Australia should not have lost the World Cup to Qatar, and in the same vein, getting into some banter with the young South Africans about the Australia vs SA test match which was just starting - a really BAD idea in hindsight.
FRIDAY
Since Thursday night, Larrikins were filtering in from all over the world. By the time we got to the Rugby Lunch at the Marriot around noon grey jerseys seemed to fill up at least half the room. It was when MC John Bentley mentioned the Larrikins several times in his address that I realised just how important the Larrikins had been for the Manila Tens over the last 18 years. Not everything has been smooth sailing for the tournament in the last few years, and it was clear the ungoing commitment of the Larrikins to the to the Manila 10s had been crucial in powering through these tough times.
Following the Lunch the team gathered in a bar still in the Marriot. This is when we got to see the team line up including our coach Sean and our captain Sebastian, the ten year French veteran . There was a wonderful arrayy of players from South Africa, New Zealand, England, Fiji, USA, France, Ireland and PNG. And what was becoming apparent was just quickly this mixed bag of players where quickly geling.
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SATURDAY
The tournament starts! The Larrikins squad may be newly formed but their commitment to each other as a team is remarkable. The lack of time together should put them at a disadvantage but this is what made these Larrikin performances admirable, as they dug deep to over come their more fluent opposition - particularly in defense. On top of their spirited defense the Larrikins were fortunate enough to have playmakers Liam and Darryn to break the game open when points where required. But sadly the winning streak ended when the lad cames head to head with the Makait Chiefs A - essentially a North Harbour NZ side recruited to play for the local side. It was a tough encounter but the Kiwis pulled away in the end 31-0. It seemed obvious that this was a Cup Final Preview.
Saturday Night found ourselves at the well hidden German Club not far from Makati. It was simply a great night of entertainment and comradery, with the highlight for me being the invitation for each nationality to share a song. There is no possible way I can share the contents of most songs sung, except to say my personal favourite was tune regarding the S&M man,
The only down side was earlier in the evening when I head to the buffet for 10 minutes foolishly leaving my mobil phone on the table. When I returned I discovered that some one had been sending texts to my wife regarding my supposed time with a lady boy. I won't mention anyone by name but the ring leader was a certain Scottish the coach. l guess they're not called the Larrikins for nothing.
SUNDAY
Sunday Morning sees the boys back on track keeping their line intact against the Bush Turkeyz 21-0 and the mood around the marquee is positive. In fact the atmosphere around the Larrikin camp has been smooth and easy going for the entire weekend. Zoe and co ensure everything runs like a well oiled machine. Before and after games players health and welfare are well looked after with medical attention and massages. The supporters and sponsors aren't faring too badly either with as much food, drink and beer as one could want, Between games it was great atmosphere to just sit around with members of the Larrihins and shoot the breeze over a couple of cold beers.
Beating the Tigers 10-0 meant the Larrikins come into Cup Final rematch with the Makati Chiefs with confidence. Unfortunately the well coordinated Kiwis had other ideas and blew the lads away from the get go and i wondered how the result would affect the Larrikins set up. But i need not have worried. By the time the court session came around the ale was flowing and the spirts where high as everyone celebrated a great weekend.
Like the beer and champagne, the good times over flowed onto the bus and we sung all the way back to Makati where Newman was determined to teach the Filipinos some PNG music, singing loud and proud out the bus window through Makati. From here the party moved onto the Handle Bar and then the Rogue Bar where........ i cant actually say anything more!
Whats happens on tour.....
CONCLUSION
In hindsight it is hard to find a negative thought or memory about my weekend with the Larrikins. It was a well planned and well executed tour with not only great players, but wonderful support staff and sponsors. On that last night I recall watching everyone partying together and thinking how everyone - players, support staff and sponsors effortlessly gelled. Quite simply, there were no arseholes in this squad. I inquired of other Larrikin virgins on their thoughts on the experience and they were exactly the same as mine - excellent.
I am glad to report that the Larrikin experience was everything that is great about Rugby the touring, friendship, good Rugby and great times - at least that the bits i can actually remember.