Following a spectular opening ceremony with Maori dance, Poi-spinning, a plethora of fireworks and a frankly baffling bit in which a child shuffles through the darkness like a lost soul in order to pass a ball to Jonah Lomu, the 2011 Rugby Union World Cup is now in full flow.
The host nation, New Zealand, are strong favourites to lift the trophy, but Australia, confident and fresh from winning the Tri Nations, may yet snatch their Antipodean rivals' glory.
The Cambodia Black Crows (Khaek Khmoa) touch team, sponsored by expat-advisory.com, captained by Stewart Gee and consisting of 8 members, traveled to Bangkok recently to participate in the Southerners International Social Mixed Touch Tournament. The tournament was held on Saturday, the 13th of November, and 8 teams from around the region entered.
There was a pretty strong following in Jakarta for international rugby until recent changes in broadcasting rights meant this country (and much of the rest of South East Asia apparently) miss out on most of the big fixtures.
The current northern hemisphere tours by the All Blacks and Wallabies are not being screened on cable TV. At this stage, there are no arrangements in place for the screening of the 2011 Super 15, Tri-Nations and World Cup.
The good news is that enterprising souls at two bars in Jakarta have found a way to bring the big games to the punters.
CFR finals set to go off on Sunday, April 6
The CFR finishes up its 2008 domestic season on Sunday, April 6th at the Phnom Penh Old Stadium, with semi final and final matches in five divisions.
Action kicks off at 9 am with semi final matches in the Boys under 14, under 17, and under 20 divisions. The finals will take place later in the afternoon, starting at 2 pm.
The day will be capped off with finals in the Women's and Senior Men's Divisions. The Women's final is scheduled to kick off at 3:30, with the Senior Men's final, featuring PSE Garudas and Stade Khmer, to follow at 4 pm.
PHNOM PENH (Oct 6) : Women's international rugby makes its debut this Saturday, October 6, when the Cambodian Federation of Rugby (CFR) hosts the first ever Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Women's Rugby 7's at the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium.
The one day tournament, which kicks off at 8 :30 am and runs until 5 pm, features women's rugby teams from Singapore, Laos, Thailand, South Korea, and Cambodia.