The performance of Sri Lanka at the Asian Sevens Series has been creditable. The disappointment is that we could not be the third Asian team in the World Rugby Sevens of 2013. We need to learn and correct those areas that need to be polished to get cup status. It would have been a spot [...]

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From bowl to plate, but the gold is elusive

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The performance of Sri Lanka at the Asian Sevens Series has been creditable. The disappointment is that we could not be the third Asian team in the World Rugby Sevens of 2013. We need to learn and correct those areas that need to be polished to get cup status. It would have been a spot that could have been achieved. Sri Lanka is worthy Plate winners three times in a row. The difference in them not reaching a point higher is the gap that exists of being a champion and plate winners. Looking forward one has to look at the strengths of the team and the weakness that contributed of the team that rose from bowl to plate.

Sri Lanka did play a better brand of sevens rugby using the whole field while throwing passes and supporting as against chasing the ball. That was the difference that was seen and achieved in a short time from the less than week practice for Borneo in the last week of August.

I remember after Borneo where Sri Lanka gave away many penalties at the break down it was said that this was because the local referees do not penalize such infringements. Similarly sentiments were made when foreign referees penalized at the break down and handed yellow cards.

From Borneo to Shanghai, Mumbai and in Singapore the penalties came down which was in favor of Sri Lanka. The inference I could make is that they were coached to handle this area. In between this period there was not much local rugby where referees would have penalized and then the players would have learnt.

The difference then possibly is the coaching. Another reason that leads to this conclusion is the difference how sevens were played as well as the way the players were sevens fit. People talk in terms of there being other talented players who have performed during the season. Some did attend practices and were dropped out as they were unable to adapt themselves to the sevens pace and the needed fitness. That is an area that needs to be looked at in domestic rugby. The performance we see as great but is it? If we are to take the additional step to get within the top three, the footwork of the player is what helps him to get close to the ball, the break down, as well as the goal line. If you remain flat footed or late off the feet and or don’t explode in your run then you will be left behind.

Sri Lanka is worthy Plate winners three times in a row

That is the same process that one may need to get closer to the crown by reducing the gap that prevents from being among the first three. Sri Lanka will widen the space if we don’t keep pace and time. The weakness that is internal can be addressed but it needs a plan of action. That would include coaching at domestic rugby to present the players that is needed for the country to beat at the top.
The three top playing Asian Nations, Japan, Hong Kong and Philippines use the residency qualifications to their advantage. Are we ready to meet that threat? Using players who qualify under the residency qualification is not going to stop but will only be expanding as long as the game allows it.

There will be others who will be treading this path and Malaysia is already there. Sri Lanka too needs to look in to this as we too have foreign players participating in the domestic tournament. The opportunity is to use this window in such a way so that after the residency qualification period they can represent the country. At the moment they play in the domestic tournament but do not have an input to the national team. The contribution may be claimed as being that of the experience the locals get playing against the bigger better foreigners. That is a speck of a contribution when you compare that the big guns as well as those getting close have players foreign decent playing once they get their residency qualifications. That is where Sri Lanka has to get to. That needs work at the apex to get a system in place while convincing the powers. On the other hand there is a gap in skills such as the lost tackle or the inability to play under pressure. We have to look at this area. That is to expose the coaches through more and more training.

It is an obvious reality when you look around and see very little new blood or that key clubs and schools are coached by expatriates. That is because there is a skills gap as was told by heads of schools. They are also aware that the rugby skill development at junior level is not that great. If this does not happen at schools honing the skills at national level is a difficulty and this leads to being the best in Asia a difficult climb.

A recent circular dated 04 October 2012 issued by the Secretary Ministry of Education where has advised that there will not be any recommendations for obtaining a visa for a foreigner to teach a subject or a sport. The positives as well as the negatives have to be discussed as rugby can suffer.

They say that we don’t need foreign resources as we have local talent. The governing body need discuss same and have a process in place than shutting the road. On the long term the council has to send coaches abroad for exposure and or have a programme to develop the locals.

Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB




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