The year rolled on but rugby stood still
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As readers who are supporters of the game could we be happy that in 2012 rugby was worthy enough. Despite a sandwiched Asian Rugby Sevens Series, Asian 5 Nations and a Junior Asian Championship, the Domestic tournaments of Clubs and Schools; the game struggled to be in the news. The much talked about “a rosy rugby season” after the four years of an interim plus a quasi elected body is seen only in the distant as one year in office comes to an end.
Sri Lanka put up a damn good fight in the Asian Sevens series winning the Plate thrice in a hat – trick of wins against Malaysia. Sri Lanka made it to the sixth place overall behind Hong Kong, Japan Chinese Taipei, China and Korea but ahead of Philippines. Despite the climb Sri Lanka failed to make it to the sevens world cup whereas Philippines did. That was a missed opportunity to grab the headline. In the fifteen as side game the National team failed to win the Asian 5 Nations Division 1 and lost it to Philippines. In the under 19 event played at home Sri Lanka once again failed to be main line in sports news. Yet this season has seen more firsts that may satisfy some but will not help the game in the long run.
Sevens look promising provided that the momentum gained is continued and we have the chance of making it to the Olympics. The change of the Club season is good news as we have the first part of the year to work on the National Team for the Asian 5 Nations Division due probably around April 2013. Thereafter it will be the Asian Sevens series. There cannot be excuses that players are involved with the club season and cannot get a release.
The silver lining among much not so best news of 2012 was that Havelock’s stood up again among the giants winning the league. Kandy after a period of over a decade experienced a dry run. They however made amends winning the knock out beating the Park Club to second place. CR who have been in second place for around a decade lost it complexly as they fell a number of places in the ladder.Joining them at the bottom was another favorite of the past CH and FC. That is news that disturbs as two of the oldest clubs are scrapping at the bottom and are very much affected by defections. Navy, Upcountry Lions Army as well as Police showed themselves as teams capable of challenging the top. The huge margins in victory were no more present and each game was a challenge. It however does not promise well for the future as some are going the same way as the challengers of the past complaining about the referees. Take a lesson and see where some of them are who failed to look at issues more close to home.
The complaints resulted in more referees from other countries coming over to officiate that were news for the followers. Yet the grumbling never ceased with hobgoblins shouting about and blaming those referees too. Indulging in outbursts of fury against the referees is nothing new to make a mark in news. If the action of 2012 is to expect a change to satisfy the clubs composing the council;
Sevens rugby looked promising for Sri Lanka in 2012.
destroying the structure catering to over 600 games built over the years will though may be personally satisfying only fool ourselves. Take the first seven countries in Asian rugby four of them do not boast of a referee that has performed well even in the ARFU B panel. These four of are placed above Sri Lanka.
A first this season was the invasion of the field of what was thought as the blue ribbon event of schools rugby- the Brady was almost called off due to unruly spectator behavior. The inaction on the incident probably will lead to further deterioration as a supposed to be parent walked into the room of the referee following the Schools knock out final. The impersonation of a player during the schools league and the determination of the winner left much for speculation and brought the game to disrepute.
Rumpus was seen at the schools presidents and premier and premier trophy matches. Another first in the rugby season for 2012 was the suspension of a referee and public vindication which has satisfied some but may not be the best contribution to the game. Yet it is refreshing news that there is active involvement of the governing body to enforce safety aspects as promoted by the IRB is a plus point of 2012.
- Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB
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