RUCK & ROLL
IT’S ALL ABOUT RUGBY THIS WEEKEND
Now that the Super Bowl is over and Six Nations is back on, it’s time to get stuck into rugby. You know, it’s the sport where they pass the odd-shaped ball backwards and — oh yeah, Dan Carter.
This weekend is the annual Bangkok International Rugby Tens and here are 10 reasons why you need to get your butts down to the best rugby tournament in the Southeast Asia.
1. The event is spread out over two days and it’s the perfect opportunity to catch some quality rugby. This year, 28 men’s teams, 12 vet’s teams, eight women’s and lots of kids’ teams will be competing.
2. So it might be all about rucking, scrumming and scoring tries this weekend, but it’s also about a good crowd which means family and friends. Tinder-dates are all welcome.
3. A couple of things you’ll be able to spot: famous rugby stars like former Springbok captain Bobby Skinstad and former Tongan captain Willy Lose; a hilarious match of the “ancients” in which the oldies all turn up to play in their pyjamas; a rooster — yup, a real one. We don’t know why either, but somebody usually brings one.
4. This is a GREAT place to get a tan. It usually gets pretty f***ing hot though, so do bring your hats, caps, sunglasses, sunscreen and hand-held fans if you can’t stand the heat.
5. Come on, is there a better way to pass the time while waiting for the Six Nations games to start?
6. Going to Bangkok Patana School is an event in itself. The facility there is insane, if you’ve missed their open day, here’s the opportunity to check their sporting facilities out. The sports field alone will make the one at your old school look like utter crap.
7. If you’ve been dying to set up a picnic somewhere in Bangkok or enjoy a burger outdoor but were worried about the monitor lizards stealing your finger sandwiches or the park ranger telling you to put your bubbly away, here’s the perfect place to do it at.
8. By attending this event, you’ll be supporting some of the local teams as well as the Nak Suu Rugby Academy, a charity that is dedicated to empowering and improving the well-being of underprivileged children through the sport of rugby.
9. Abs, thighs and beards — EVERYWHERE. Lots of balls too — rugby balls. 10. Did we mention that it’s a free event? FREE! No entry fee; no tickets needed — so just turn up and enjoy the fun.