Singapore’s rugby team put up a brilliant show 45 years ago. They won the Malaysian Rugby Union Cup in Kuala Lumpur in 1978, recording a shock win of 19-3 victory over beating the Malaysian Armed Forces 19-3.
It was Singapore rugby’s best performance under coach Natahar Bava, winning a tournament after 44 years of participation under the previous label of Singapore Civilians.
Later that year, Singapore took part in the Sixth Asian Rugby tournament in Kuala Lumpur and emerged with their best result to this day – a third-place finish behind powerhouses Japan and South Korea.
Giving credit to the deedsfor these performances, the Singapore National Olympic Committee crowned player Song Koon Poh Sportsman of the Year and awarded Bava Coach of the Year. The 1978 teamsquad was also recognised as Team of the Year.
Last Sunday, the team’s exploits were recalled at a dinner attended by most of the team members and friends of rugby at Amara Hotel. There were speeches and tales from the golden period of Singapore rugby.
Most of the stories that came out that night were new to many of the 110 attendees, including Bava’s grandsons Matteo Rinaldi, 22, and Lucas Rinaldi, 20, both school-level rugby players.
The boys had heard that their grandfather, now 77, was an inspirational leader. But they knew very little about what the 1978 team did and how they did it.
Leow Kim Liat, the first captain of an all-Singaporean national team, formed in 1972, said there are valuable lessons to be gleaned.
“It is a story of how anything is possible with hard work and passion. I think it is important to show that rugby in Singapore has a storied history,” said the 73-year-old.
Song, who is still fit at 69, said: “It was a team that was quite unique. We played for each other, for the love of the game and country.”
And that is the message Bava hopes gets through to Singapore’s young rugby players, like his grandsons.
“In the era of professionalism, this team carries an important message – playing for your country is the ultimate aspiration of any athlete,” he said.
“Commitment, determination and devotion to the country were key elements in our 1978 victory.”
Bava added that the current generation must commit themselves to improving their skill and fitness levels. “They must reach a point of enjoyment, only then can they propel themselves to the top.”
Former The Straits Times sports editor Godfrey Robert, who wrote the book We Were Kings about the 1978 team, said: “What I witnessed in KL was beyond imagination.
“First, our focused and determined effort bringing down the much bigger (average weight 95kg) and taller (1.82m) Royal New Zealand Forces with tackles bordering onof grit and guts in the semis, then outrunning and outwitting the Malaysian Armed Forces in the final.
“The team’s biggest strength was supreme fitness built over runs at Mount Faber, and this saw them last until the final, when other teams faded towards the end.
“Teamwork was also the key as the boys played for each other, and carried the team spirit throughout.”
Matteo, a former ACS(I) rugby team vice-captain, said it was very inspirational listening to the 1978 team members and his grandfather, “especially because I was coached by Lincoln Tan, who was my grandpa’s prodigyprotege”.
The chemical engineering student at NUS added: “My grandpa went to all the games I played and would give me advice at the end. He would tell me what to focus on and motivate me even when we lost.”
Lucas, who is finishing NS this year, said he is very proud of his grandfather’s efforts and the 1978 team’s win.
“It is great to see the team meeting again,” he said. “The camaraderie and fire are still there.”
The 1978 team members meet every five years to keep the spirit going.
“The fellowship and support for each is still very strong. For us, it’s about the love of the game,” said Leow.
“Back then, we had to buy our own boots, shorts and food. We never had the kind of facilities that are available now.
“It was an honour to play for Singapore.”
