Taiwan
Weldon Smith played for the Outsiders Rugby Club in Taipei from 1962 to 1965. In his words: As an alumnus of UC Berkeley, I was interested in rugby when I arrived in Taiwan in September of 1962. I was a member of USARSCAT, the Army SigComm Agency. The Outsiders Rugby Club was already in existence. Amos Deaven was our leader, along with an "old-timer", surname of Montayne. Tim Connell rejoined us, probably in 1963 or 1964. He was definitely an old-timer himself. We did have a fine time over the years. I departed the Isle Beautiful in April of 1965. Our team had three students from Taipei American School, but no faculty. Perhaps they were more cerebral in those days. Our team was mostly Army/Navy. We did take one trip to Hong Kong for a 7-man tournament. I believe it was called the Blarney Stone 7 Aside knockout Tournament. Our first team lost to the host Hong Kong Football Club in a nail-biter decided by a last-second drop kick. Wily Brits. An uncertain amount of post-match ale was consumed in good fellowship. A native Mississippian, one Ruben Edward Tullos, was our most colorful player, and probably stronger than most, if not all, of Faulkner's mules. The Brits loved him. We travelled Taiwan as well, and our large red cooler was always present at the end of games when we shared beer and soft drinks with our worthy opponents. It's gratifying to know that the Club carried on for many years. I'm grateful to have been a modest part of it.
Tom Grippo (USA) said he played for a combined services (tri service) team from 1968-1971 in Taipei. Tim Connell (Msgt) played for them in 1961, 1963-67 and 1968-73. He started a true team in 1968 calling the team the Outsiders. We were also known as the Taipei Jùrén [巨人, Giants] as we were bigger than the local team.
As Tom remembers: As far as I know, Tim Connell was the Founding Father of American Military Rugby in Taiwan.. When I arrived in Taipei in 1967, I initially played Flag Football and wanted a more aggressive contact sport after playing 4-years of high school football, 1-season of college football, and 1-season of 6-man tackle football at Fort Monmouth, NJ. Driven by my desires, I went to the Navy HSA (Headquarters Support Activity) and met Mr. Ralph Davidson, Activities Coordinator. I believe Mr. Davidson was retired Army. Mr. Davidson informed me Tim Connell, USAF, had previously started a Rugby Team in Taipei and that Tim was returning to Taiwan. I do not remember when Tim returned; however, it did not take long to start a team once Tim returned. I believe Tim was first introduced to Rugby by his brother-in-law (Ah-Ming ?). When we first started our team in 1967 Tim, Al Lind (U.S. Navy LTJG), and I started playing with Chinese and Taiwanese team members (Ah-Ming played with us and recruited other local national members). I believe this is why we were called the Taipei Juren (Taipei Giants). To recruit an interest for Rugby in the military community, we played a short exhibition game following a military flag football game. In late 1968 I believe we became the Outsiders.
Tim Connell is the key to the History of American Military Rugby in Taipei. Taiwan. The U.S. Navy HSA (Mr. Davidson) was very supportive of us. We were provided with uniforms to include socks and shorts. In 1970, I recall being provided two (2) new uniforms which some team members traded for the Navy Uniforms of a visiting team from Australia at a get together at the NCO Club Stag Bar. Taiwan Defense Command was also very supportive of us and provided us the Admiral's C-117 for round-trip transportation from Taipei to Hong Kong in December 1970. We played two (2) games in Hong Kong (Hong Rugby Football Club and Hong Kong Police Sports Association).
From the memory of Richard Juve: I was a member of the American Rugby team (HSA Rugby Team) in Taiwan 1968-1969, approx 2 full years. I worked at the American School. We held many matches at the school since our field was considered a decent one with grass. We had about five teacher players from the school, another 8-10 military types and several businessmen. I feel that we may have played just about every weekend. I do not recall that we ever practiced; perhaps one of two times.
When we played the national Japanese team that flew in from Japan we played in the National Stadium in Taipei and filled the stadium with enthusiastic spectators. We beat the Japanese. They were fast, tough had great form and will. We were taller, our line was just as fast and the former football players could hit. We hurt them. Our lineouts were phenomenal. Our height was a stunning advantage.
When we played the Taiwanese, on horrendous muddy, fields, in the cold and rain, we had difficulties. We lost games, but had great fun. The camaraderie on the team was phenomenal. Our passing game was not great, and our kicking was nonexistent.
We managed a trip to Hong Kong and lost to the Hong Kong colonial police. They danced around us. They could pass, fake, kick past us and showed great expertise in a game many grew up with. They showed us excellent hospitality.
Tim Conell, USAF, (Jupiter, Florida) Tom Grippo US Army, (San Antonio, TX) Jay Henderson, USN, Tom Wacker, banker, Tom Pooley, USN, Earl Ballard, (top of the Rocky Mts. CO) teacher, Hickey, former USMC/teacher, Richard Juve, USMC/teacher were some of the players.
We were never short of players. The guys loved to mix it up. The Chinese had teams in every city. We traveled by bus and train and stayed in little rundown local hotels. Every game was glorious. On several occasions we had high school students from military families play with us. One was an excellent place kicker.
As I think back, I feel we may have added a lot to the theory of friendship because we mixed it up with the locals in the mud and there was lots of that. No calls were made about locking an opponent around the neck. Not many of us knew much about the rules. We had lots of confidence, little patience and enjoyed the adversity. The guys were not confused with procrastination or idleness. Our goals was to get on the field, do some hitting (tackling) run with the ball and hold tight when tackled. It was unpleasant to release the ball. The agenda in our head was mentally ingrained. US football. We were mindful of our errors and focused on charging as competent athletes. We were always confident of success. We learned on the run. All of us were newbies trying to get it right. We encouraged each other in the learning process. Rugby looked ridiculously easy to us, after getting hit several times in a ruck, we learned not to forget and hard it was to learn.
All the Americans were competent athletes. Some had trouble with fitness, but we were all young. Rugby was an opportunity to relive our former athletic selves. We were considerate of others and had the right attitude. In every game, our performance improved. We achieved our goal of getting together and tried to be a better version of ourselves. We strived for self-satisfaction and were intolerant of the opposition that got in our way on the field. We focused on each moment of the game. Rugby was a great lasting, fulfilling, satisfaction. The game is unprecedented and socially engaging. Associates said it was suicidal and we said it was mentally healthy. The day after a game I was sore. The effort affected my muscle groups. We never had to use coercive means to get guys to play. More and more suicidal young adults wanted to engage and play. Rugby is a culture. It absorbs you and you embrace it.
When I left Taiwan and HAS Rugby the players had several other seasons.
We were a combination of Active Military, Teachers from Taipei American School, Students (2) from Taipei American School, and Private Business Representatives from the United States (2), England (1), and New Zealand (1). We were well supported by U.S. Military Units and Support activities to include the Taiwan Defense Command approving a request to fly the Outsiders minus non logistically supported players to Hong Kong on the Admirals C-117. In addition, the Navy Headquarters Support Activity provided two (2) sets of uniforms. As I recall, the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) provided a C-47 for players who were bumped from the C-117 return flight. Actually, a Sergeant Major requested two (2) military players give up their seats so his wife and son (High School student on the Outsiders) may board the return flight to Taiwan on the C-117.
All credit for Rugby in Taiwan goes to Tim Connell, U.S. Air Force. I believe Tim started the team with his brother-in-law in the early 60s
