Sri Lanka can be at least number three in Singapore and have a shot at being at the World Cup Rugby Sevens. That was the view of most rugby team experts that played in Mumbai. Sri Lanka has the capacity to be the challenge to either Japan or Hong Kong by getting into the final. [...]

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Lankan sevens rugby on the rise

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Sri Lanka can be at least number three in Singapore and have a shot at being at the World Cup Rugby Sevens. That was the view of most rugby team experts that played in Mumbai. Sri Lanka has the capacity to be the challenge to either Japan or Hong Kong by getting into the final. This is what people think having seen the Sri Lanka game against Hong Kong, in the quarters.

Speaking to some of the team they now are confident of the capability they have and the need overcome the unnecessary pressure they bring on themselves. They have realized that there is a greater possibility of Sri Lanka being at the top of Asian Sevens Rugby and that there should be more seven’s games that gives them the chance to do better . Going further I would say that it would not be playing sevens alone that would help but also there should be more sevens coaches that should be brought to the system. This will help the players to fit to the national expectation and be coached at the National Level than having to be taught. One other additional tournament of sevens could be second mercantile sevens played midyear and based on the ranking of the main event and limited to twelve teams and also run women’s sevens of four teams played on a league basis.

Winning the Plate in Mumbai and in Shanghai and the Bowl from Borneo, Sri Lanka finished an overall number six in ranking. Mumbai was a greater challenge and the opposition tougher than in Shanghai. For the first time in the history of the Asian Sevens series Sri Lanka reached the quarter finals and showed that they were capable of being among the first four. It was not anything about ability that kept Sri Lanka away from the first four but that at critical times the team brought on pressure on themselves when they looked comfortable.
The team looked a confident side when they beat Malaysia who had size and weight to theory advantage. They were also strong with some players having an Asia pacific background. The fact that the Lankans beat them was not a matter of chance but that they were capable to do so was proved as we beat them again in the plate finals. Leaders of the group Malaysia beat China whilst we beat Malaysia twice.

Losing to China was the first setback in reaching the first four. The Chinese was the mountain to conquer to lead that group was the

The Lankans won a trophy once again in Mumbai

thinking of the Sri Lankan team. That was the mindset that was behind that took on China and they allowed them to score with a reluctance to take them up front while failing to use the strength in attack of the Sri Lankans. When Sri Lanka decided to attack there were two tries on the board that came a little too late. If we got the better of China and were group leaders we would have had to meet Thailand who went on to beat Malaysia in the semi final and eventually took fourth place. Having beaten Malaysia twice Sri Lanka could have beaten Thailand and entered the semi finals.

In the quarter final we stretched Hong Kong after giving the right of way early in the game. Eventual winners of the Cup Hong Kong beat Japan convincingly in the final. Hong Kong survived an early scare when Sri Lanka side pushed them in the quarter finals, before losing 17-12. There again Sri Lanka gave a tough fight and scored when the Lankans attacked but were forced to allow traffic to pass through when we had to defend and that was where we were weak.

Sri Lanka had a tendency to play into a situation of being put under pressure after taking an early lead or by allowing the opposition and advantage that was not there. This happened in the Plate finals too after a comfortable 12 points to nil lead. The score were level at half time and forced into extra time. The attack that began after receiving the ball proved successful as the good hands and speed made Sri Lanka the winners.

The crowds in Mumbai were full of praise for the smaller made Sri Lankan who took the spectators by storm with their speed and elusive running. Gowling’s Sri Lanka became the Darlings in Mumbai. To many of the teams below the first six the dream was; if they can play like Sri Lanka for whom it was size does not matter. They were also the darlings of the teams as they set the trend in entertainment and enjoyment as they sang and danced rocking the Banquet hall at the Vivanta President Mumbai by Taj . A happy team that plays together and stays together using the talent on and off the field is an advantage. Using the positive frame and the twisting and twirling they are capable of they could end up the team that will work the way to the top and clinch a place to the World Cup. Besides that at least one of the players can be a reality star.

Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited

Referees Evaluator IRB




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