Asian Barbarians to play rugby test here

The Asian Rugby Football Council (ARFU) is scheduled to have a meeting on June 13. This meeting is of vital importance for Sri Lanka as one of the motions on the agenda is an Asian Sevens Circuit tournament proposed by President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Nimal Lewke.

Speaking to The Sunday Times Lewke said; “What I have proposed is to have three tournaments prior to the Hong Kong Sevens that is held at the end of March. Right now the ARFU conducts only 15 a side tournaments. Thus Asian teams do not have the opportunity of improving themselves. By having three satellite tournaments we can become that much more competitive at Hong Kong Sevens.”

He added; “In addition the top five nations in Asia in order of their rankings are Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and Arabian Gulf. We have beaten both Kazakhstan and Arabian Gulf and lost by only one try to Hong Kong. I firmly believe that with the right preparation and training we can become the number three team in Asia in the sevens format. We have the players with the skills, ability and fitness to accomplish this. Now once I go for the meeting I must talk to the other countries get this motion passed. I am confident it will go through because it will benefit a number of countries in the Asian region.”

When asked to elaborate he said; “What I have proposed is a two tier format. The top 12 to 13 countries will play in the top half while the others will play in the bottom half. I have also proposed that one of the venues be Sri Lanka. We can even make the Singer Sevens one of the ARFU events.

By that even Sri Lanka’s rugby spectators will be able to witness the best in Asia compete with one another to become the Sevens champions of Asia.” In another development the Asian Barbarians team may play an unofficial test against Sri Lanka before the National team departs for the Asian Division One Championship. When asked, Lewke said; “The Union’s Chief Executive Officer Dilroy Fernando was in Japan to officiate at the Asian Five Nations. And his proposal was looked at favourably by the Asian Barbarians. The plan is for them to conduct a training programme and then play the test. Thus it will be beneficial in more ways that one. If the Barbarians accept our invitation, we are hoping to have the match around middle to late October.”

Fernando who was the touch judge and stand bye referee at the Five Nations final between Japan and Hong Kong said the timing was essential because the Asian Division One Championship which was scheduled to start on November 9 will now be held after November 10. This is because the Youth Asiad is scheduled to be held from November 3 to 9.

Meanwhile in an effort to popularise the game of rugby in the North Central Province a programme will be conducted by Dilroy Fernando at the Rajarata University Grounds for Physical Training Instructors on Tuesday from 9 in the morning till 4 in the evening. The programme will cover basic coaching skills and the crucial role a Trainer plays in the sport of rugby.