Is there any rugby going on here? I put up a classified ad trying to throw a team together last week and got a few responses.

Does anyone know more about this Maori New Zealander fellow who has apparently already got a squad put together?

There used to be a bunch of guys who played touch Rugby years ago since then nothing.

Getting a team together is one thing playing is another thing altogether.

The only Rugby tournaments played in Kunmimg were played out at the lake at the sports center. There are no dedicated Rugby grounds other than those are the are part of the Olympic training center.

The nearest teams to play against in Guangdong if you don't count the team in Hanoi.

All the ex pat teams are located in the east there is virtually zero Rugby activity anywhere around here.

The national federation is not interested in ex pat Rugby unless you are looking at putting a sevens team together to play in the tournaments in Laos and Cambiodia then it's going to be a purely social get together.

I'd be interested and I've been playing touch casually in Kunming with one expat friend, one Chinese friend and some other Chinese students. I don't have that much time, so it'd have to be ad-hoc rather than regular, but I could probably spare one or two afternoons a week. Let me know if you are interested in getting something together.

Chengdu and Chongqing have had teams for several years. I recently joined the Chengdu team (I live there). We tour seasonally. One long-distance one in fall, and big one in Xiamen each spring (Rugby/beach party) which draws many ex-pat teams. Usually play 10's, but sometimes 5's or 7's on tour. Of course, we tour to Chongqing most often.

I encourage you to try putting something together. Chengdu team directors would probably be happy to help with tour and recruiting ideas. We have open weekly practices (2-hand touch) at our local university that is our way of getting newbies into the game. Also, weekly tackle at local rugby pitch.

Hope there's still interest in Kunming, especially with World Cup right now. Good time to get it going.

I'm definitely up for a touch match or 2 a week if there is any interest.

If anyone knows of anything going on, please let me know!

Hey fellas, im originally from Kunming now living in Australia. I'm a pretty experienced rugby player playing for 7 years now. I'm coming back for 3 months at the end of the year and if you have a team or games going that'd be awesome!!!

After a fantastic World Cup does anybody out there feel inspired to pick up a rugby ball? A while back a poster from Chengdu mentioned that they had a regular rugby team. The idea is to set up a side here with a goal to inviting them down here or travelling up there to play them in a match. Perhaps it would be best to aim for a sevens or a tens side at first. We could start here with games of touch rugby before switching to contact. Along with myself I know of one American who has played in College and two Chinese who haven't played rugby but are good athletes and keen to give it a shot. Everyone is welcome regardless of nationality or experience. Kunming Tiger if you see this – as the most knowledgable rugby person I know of in Kunming it'd be great to have you on board in a playing/coaching role depending on whether there are enough numbers to go ahead. If all goes well I'll get in contact with the Chengdu guys and try and set up a sevens/10s/15s match/pissup.

yeh mate i keen!!! what dates are you looking at?

Im keen too, U got a team yet?

Guys there are eleven or so players already keen to play so let's get this started. I've made contact with the Chengdu and Chongqing teams who have had clubs for several years with weekly games and who tour to Xiamen and elsewhere. I've had messages and contact details from some of you already – if you are keen drop me an email at tristram.barker@gmail.com with your cell phone number and I'll set something up for the following weekend – either Saturday the 12th or Sunday the 13th. As soon as I've got enough numbers for a turnout – minimum 4-5 I guess I'll grab a pitch and a case of beer. All levels welcome including beginners – it would be great to get some locals down as well. We'll probably just kick the ball (which is on its way – thanks Taobao) around and play some touch at first and take it from there. I'm liking the name Kunming Flying Tigers or Tigers for short. Any other suggestions?