Kings Cup 80 Rugby Final At Sanam Chai In Phuket: Thailand Beat Australia

[NBT TV Phuket]

Special - Kings Cup 80 Rugby final at Sanam Chai in Phuket: Thailand beat Australia

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The King's Cup 80 Rugby tournament at the Sanam Chai ground in Phuket City ended last Friday night, 23rd November, with a fitting final victory for the young Thai national team in yellow, who beat a strong and slightly heavier Australian team from Canberra in white, who seemed a bit below the form they showed in the first league game last Saturday when they beat the Thais 34-24. The Thai team started to gain revenge early on with fast flowing moves, stretching the play across the field, exciting the home crowd. They scored two early tries or touchdowns, finding gaps in the Australian defense. It was a bruising encounter, with a few injuries, despite the equal average weights of around 80 kilograms. The Aussies came back into the game with a try and conversion kick to bring the score closer at 14-12. Our Channel 11 cameramen were out in force to record the whole match for True Visions to show later. The Thai team converted a penalty kick to extend the lead to 17-12. And after another quick try and conversion they moved into a comfortable 24-12 score. Their best try of the night came just before half time, and this really pleased the Thai crowd.

31-12 was the score at half time and it seemed all over. But the Aussies weren't giving up. The Thai manager & coach seemed a little tense. But the Aussies could not convert their chances. Patrick Cotter of the local Phuket Vagabonds club was enjoying the match. The Thai Rugby Union officials kept good track of the timing, scores and weights of the players, in this relatively new 80 format which provides more equal chances for lighter teams. Two misbehaving & opposing players were sent to the sin bin to sit out together for 10 minutes. The Thai team finished with a good try and conversion, plus a final drop kick, to finish the win with a final score of 44-24. It was a friendly finish;

All the teams, including 3rd place Sri Lanka, and 4th placed Thai Under 20 year olds, lined up for the presentation. The Thai captain collected the King's Cup trophy in front of HM's portrait. The Australian captain of the Canberra Pirates, David McLenaghon, collected the runners up trophy, and after the game told us how he felt their game went: "Defintely tough ... attacking quality" A Thai player, Kiattiyot Kwanseng, told us how happy they were to win HM the King's trophy in this auspicious year: "Are you v. happy?.. now go celebrate.." All the players, VIPs and officials joined up for final photos before leaving Phuket, planning to meet again probably in New Zealand for next year's rugby 80 tournament.

[jingjoe]

No doubt the aussie team were nobbled by beautiful women and cheap beer... Shame Thailand SHAME!!

[blueeagle]

No doubt Australia sents low class and weak roster! This team from only city!