The Underground Counter-Strike Source division took the Pan Asia Championship by storm, coming out with a perfect win record and averaging more then 13 points a match. The 2008 season saw Ben add a new member to the team to replace former player SoulJah. The addition was non other then Western Australian player Chad 'SPUNJ' Burchill, we managed to catch up with SPUNJ recently and find out a bit more about the smallest player in the team.

Favourite Hobbies
Before I became a professional nerd I used to make my way down to the beach on a more then regular basis, that has kinda dropped off completely now.. sadface! But I enjoy the old late night maccas runs, gambling :P, and gaming in general.

Favourite Movie
HUGE FAN of the mighty duck trilogy, quack quack quack.

Favourite Music
I listen to a little bit of everything, I’m not really into any type of specific music. Oh and the Sydney underground theme song!

Favourite Food
I'm a big fan of creaser salad, with the crispy bacon, grated cheese, hot tender chicken, crotons! *drools* and chocolate

Most Embarassing Moment
im gonna be completely honest… I can’t think of an embarrassing moment… - Besides that one time at band camp - When I was youngling and playing LAN competitions, I would always get a stezza in my voice… that’s always embarrassing.

If you weren't in Sydney Underground you would be
I would be working 6 days a week going to strangers houses putting together flat pack furniture from IKEA etc, fun fun. From a gaming perspective, probably some WA 1.6 team, or still in exile5!

Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs
Living in my mum’s basement in my command centre controlling my warlock epic battle mount raiding the olderon temple… - nah, I haven’t actually thought that far ahead, I would have probably continued working my subcontracting job because their was good money in it, but to be honest I don’t have a clue! Never really had any direction as to what I want to do.


Where does the nick SPUNJ come from?
thats to do with when i used to bodyboard, there was a company called spunj, so i ganked the name, then when i started gaming it stuck, was unique, so i kept it .

What is it like gaming from Western Australia in an Australia based team?
Its obviously not the best possible setup, but im not complaining, the 70 ping from time to time gives me the advantage :D! We also start practicing earlier my time, so im usually finished by pretty early in the night. I get quiet a lot of flak though for being a westerner, even though it’s the best state in Australia!

On the topic of practice, how do you think you are fitting into the team
Well, I was picked because I’m a versatile player, and I think I’ve filled that roll very well. The other 4 players in the team are all experienced, and know what has to be done, so that makes my roll 10 times easier. I think I/we proved in china that the team is as strong as ever and im looking forward to showing the teams in LA what we’ve got!

There’s a rumor running around that something happened in china with you and a certain make up artist, so id there a new lady in your life?
Haha, nah I don’t think she was a makeup artist? JOKING – but it seemed like the Chinese ladies where taking an interest in me*head gets bigger*, saying that though, they where in the majority of us Australians – James especially, there is a few questions you could ask him haha. Was good signing autographs and taking photos with the ‘fans’. Was a bit overwhelming, I didn’t expect anything like it.

Swapping from 1.6 to CS:S so quickly which game do you prefer, and have you grasped the concepts of the later completely yet?
Swapping between games was no big deal, as they are both the same concept. In saying that though the games are completely different and I don’t really like comparing them, as I view them as different games. I haven’t fully grasped source yet, in some situations I still feel lost, and I rush it – but im getting a lot better as of late, finding it easier to clutch, and im learning the little source tricks!