When I first came to Australia in the year 2000, I was an overgrown, eight-year-old Chinese boy with a Canadian accent, who winded up at a private school in the heart of Perth. Needless to say, those first few years were difficult.
Here are just two general exchanges which I would often go through.
“Where are you from?”
“Singapore.”
“Why do you talk like an American?”
“Because I lived in Canada.”
“But that’s not America!”
“Why are you so tall?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are your parents tall?”
“No.”
“Asians aren’t supposed to be tall.”
Clearly, I was doing it wrong. In the plainest terms possible, I didn’t make sense back then, to the other kids or to myself.
My body, my voice, and my own sense of identity were almost comically disjointed, and were continuing to drift away in different directions as time went on.
My accent prevailed between my sisters and myself at home, the lack of chicken rice and fried kway teow in this country made me miss the country of my birth, and, to my parents’ delight, I kept growing taller despite my age and (supposedly) my ethnicity.
Credit to my classmates, I’m no longer what you would call tall. I’m only 5’11”, but haven’t grown an inch since I took up rugby, and I took up rugby when I was 11. That was honestly the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.
On a rugby field I made sense. I could fun faster than the others because my legs were longer, I could push through them because I was heavier, my accent that stuck out was an asset rather than a liability. All those disjointed bits fell into place. Rugby allowed me to make sense.
In time, the other kids grew and caught up to me and we became teenagers. I lost my accent and became Australian in more ways than I ever thought I would.
As I changed, my experience of rugby changed. It became a place where life became simple amidst the shit of school and growing up. It became a 70-minute space every week where all that mattered in life was moving a ball behind a white line in the grass, and where test results, family fights, and girlfriends that never worked out could so easily be put on hold.
Now I’m 22 and living away from my family on the opposite side of the country, and further from Singapore than ever before. But rugby has stayed the same. Rugby is still with me. Rugby has been the constant of my life since the day I took it up, and I could not be any more grateful for having found this sport at the time and way that I did.
I’d like to think that was up to chance, but I’m not sure if it was. At the end of 2003, the Rugby World Cup had just wrapped up in Sydney, and Australia had just had its heart broken by the world’s most famous left boot (in this sport at least).
But still, the spectacle had inspired us kids to take up the game wherever and whenever we could, no matter how many matches were shut down and detentions copped for tackling at lunch time.
So where does all this reflection lead? It leads me to realise what I actually talk about when I talk about rugby.
When I talk about rugby I talk about more than a sport. I talk about something that is an inseparable part of me, something that has made me what I am today, something that I love with all my heart and something that I feel indebted to for all it has done.
When I talk about rugby I talk about it with a hope that this game can grow and do the same for children – both boys and girls – all around the world, where the game is entrenched in local culture or still growing. I know that if the World Cup had never swung by Australia in 2003, I might not be here, writing this article as the person I am.
Far from its glory days in the 1990s and early 2000s, Australian rugby is, at the moment, in a tricky situation at best.
Financial struggles within the ARU, its never-ending contest with the AFL, NRL and A-League, the Wallabies’ fall in the world rankings, coaching conflicts, and the challenge of Euros and Yen to Australia’s playing stocks and, implicitly, their pride in and passion for the gold jersey itself, have far outweighed the few positives of a revived domestic competition, the Waratahs’ Super Rugby title, and the form of a handful of players who are, or could be, world class.
This goes without mentioning, of course, that the World Cup that will soon come barrelling through the rugby world magnifies the importance and urgency of these issues exponentially.
So things aren’t the best. We know that. But I know that we wouldn’t all be here, as fans or as players, if there wasn’t something about this game that we know, we love, and we believe in. I’ve explained mine, and I invite all of you to not necessarily share, but to reflect on yours.
We all talk about different things when we talk about rugby. Maybe figuring out what that is, be it as juniors, as clubmen, as supporters, and indeed, as Wallabies, will be a necessary first step in bringing it back into the spotlight that we all know it deserves, so it can continue to work the magic we all know it can.
Mark
Guest
great article Eugene I too am an Asian born in Australia, and still playing rugby after 30 years (I am 42). I played 6 years of rugby league between the ages of 19-25 but returned to rugby after that, so I can confidently say I have an appreciation for both codes but my love for the game of Rugby Union has only deepened. I struggle to watch the repetitive uncontested game of rugby league now. Rugby has so many different twists and turns, like anything anywhere can happen at any moment. Understanding a players position and his role in the team I guess greatly helps. I dream thatthe Wallabies, like the Tahs, will one day rise again to be a force to be reckoned with anyway..great story
Digby
Roar Guru
Excellent peice Eugene. Thank you for sharing it.
Miss Fluffy Cat
Guest
I like feeling connected to so many! My Dad many decades ago was a young Asian immigrant to NZ - landed in Wellington and worked in the fruit shop every day after school as you did then - school was Rongotai College, whose more recent grads include Ma'a Nonu & the Saveas, so my Dad's a very proud Old Boy after last weekend!
Vic
Guest
Kia much appreciated, I thought as much re the public transport. Will work on a plan around your suggestions. Sorry Eugene :)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Bakkies, you are correct. Rugby was not considered to be an 'Asian Sport' in the 50's. I was one, my cousin was another though he played Rugby League for Ponsonby. I understand that this has changed somewhat today as the landscape of the population has changed but participation mainly confined to school and junior level, This will change over time.
tc
Guest
Awesome article Eugene, and awesome responses guys.
Bakkies
Guest
There weren't many Asians playing when I was growing up.
Bakkies
Guest
It's massive. I was very young when the '91 RWC was won. Significant spike in participation as registration was just a few months after the Final going in to a fresh season.
Bakkies
Guest
Coaching courses are very hands on here and you run through drills and unit work that you coach the kids. A lot of coaches get while line fever and into to the mode of that they are playing trying moves. This is rather than approaching it from what you are going to teach the players
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Hey Vic Much depends on your point of entry. La Rioja would be ideal and then head up into the Basque country. The Guggenheim at Bilbao is well worth seeing and San Sebastián has an international film festival (saw fear and loathing in Las Vegas with Terry Gilliam and Johnny Depp at the start of the screening). I would drive as the trains are slow in the north though buses are cheap. But more freedom with a car. September is a great month and accommodation goes down in price appreciably and though the weather can be problematic - it's not green for nothing! - I love the north. In two weeks I will escape the heat of Madrid ( today 42 degrees) to go to Galicia: rias altas. Great Albariño wine there, amazing seafood and meat. In between are Cantabria and Asturias. Santander is home to the prehistoric cave paintings and the old Asturian capital Cabadonga is well worth a visit. The picos de Europa are very close to the coast and well worth a visit. Asturias is home to great cider and the beaches of Santander are amazing. Three weeks gives you enough time to see a lot of that. Closer to the time I could recommend must sees. Don't expect any of the typical Spanish heat and it might rain quite a few days but it's a beautiful part of the country. Sorry Eugene for the temporary hijacking of your warmly appreciated article.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
nick, you are too kind... at least for me the persecutions that I grew up was over 60 years ago (I am an old fart in my early 70's), both RobC and Eugene are quite a few years younger and much much wiser than yours truly!! The Chinese were the largest non-European and non-Polynesian ethnic group in NZ in the early 1900’s (since 1860's). The Chinese were a visible minority, who did not fit in with the colonial image of a ‘better Britain’ and were harshly excluded from political discourse, socially marginalised and often victimised. Seriously I have no regrets, those were the days that were, and are just that... the days that were. Everyone has their cross to bare.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Yes I remembered it was you :) I always find yours, Rob and now Eugene childhood stories very inspirational and the fact you have 'moved on' (without forgetting) is quite amazing. In my eyes you guys helped make Australia the country it is now and many of us non aussies-born can enjoy living here thanks to you.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Rob, Ch-Ch is a beautiful city... (was certainly before the earthquakes). Outside of sporting endeavours the South Islanders are a very nice bunch. There are North Island v South Island parochial views but none so much as rugby between Auckland and Canterbury. NSW and QLD have a bit going between them in sports but nothing like the rugby fans in Ch-Ch when the Auks come to town! .. I can attest to that!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
NOS, yep it was me. Like RobC I experienced the best and worse in human beings, racism and prejudices were alive and well in NZ while I was growing up (and I was born in NZ). I really didn't understand why kids 'picked on me' almost to the point of regretting my heritage. I reacted badly against the constant taunts and ended up in many scraps. meeting a group who constantly goaded me at a park to deal 'with our differences' .... not particularly pretty memories. that would have been in the very early 50's. I can relate to both Eugene and RobC's upbringing. I was probably a little bitter then and even more so a little later in the early 60's when I tried to travel to Australia for a holiday with my mate but was denied entry (in spite of being born in NZ) because of the White Australian Policy. But there was a silver lining early on .. my best mates all played rugby and so joined them. On a rugby ground all of a sudden we were equal, my aggression had an outlet. My best mate's father took us to the 1956 Eden Park match AB's v Boks my 'first test live', I've been hooked since! And funny how things turn out, today I live in Australia, happily married for 43 year to a blonde Aussie ... the past remembered but no longer with any bitterness... maturity does wonderful things!
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Hi rob, thanks for clarifying. yes I heard that oz was very different back in the 80s and ppl with a different look or accent didn't feel particularly welcome especially outside big cities.
Vic
Guest
Kia, mate, if you don't mind my asking - do you have any recommendations for Northern Spain? We are planning a family visit for 3 weeks in September, with mixed interests hoping to fit a bit of nature, history and culture in. Any specific recommendations for places to visit ( or not to visit)? Are the local buses/ trains usable in thecountryside or is it better to self drive? Is it worth visiting the wineries? Will appreciate any tips, if you can.
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday nos. re NZ? I heard places like ChCh was pretty parochial. Maybe even today. Brisbane certainly was. But the difference I meant was the era 1980s vs 2000. It was a different world back then. Wasnt really considering what NZ was like
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Very true rob c. Re the last point you make do you thjnk it would have been easier to be a 12yo asian kid playing rugby in nz? I have the impression I have read one of our roarers (rt I think) say he encountered the same challenges there? Not absolutely sure though.
RobC
Roar Guru
Welcome to the Roar Eugene. I arrived in Brisbane in 1980 as a 12yo. It was worse then. Being called 'Nip, chink' etc were the norm. School of hard knocks. By Y12 I was part of the cool group. Had less to do with sport and more to do with mischief. I agree with you, a common appreciation and articulation is the critical issue for Oz Rugby. And in some cases in places like Sth Africa. Until then, the best may to get more to be involved at grassroots to get more to experience it. Just like you. Rugby shouldnt just be for white males from privileged families or superhuman athletes. This is the single most important thing that we should learn from NZ. Excellent article, thanks for sharing.
Vic
Guest
Thanks for sharing Eugene - rugby is a wonderful game, and Australia is a wonderful country, once they get used to our accents, colour hues, and difficult names :) ( I've always maintained it's the Aussies who have the accent, not me - I talk like all the others 'back home')