Sailors on the podium
View(s):Is there anything in common in sailing and rugby was the question that came to my mind as Navy sealed their position as winners of the Rugby League Championship 2014? This was with another week of league games to be played. All that was left was yesterday’s game against Havelocks to hallmark the performance with another victory and be unbeaten champions.
In comparison the ethos of rugby has something in common with sailing that will keep them coming back for more. The two are similar in many ways: Rugby and Sailing. In rugby, as individuals, you are responsible for your aspect of the game and sailing is very similar because each sailor is responsible for one aspect of the boat. If one falls away, it lets down the whole team. As individual you do your part and as a team you win. That is what Navy showed in Welisara when they took on Kandy last week.
It looked like the Navy was in stormy weather in the first half. They steered the ship aboard without difficulty as Kandy succumbed to defeat in the second half. The Dialog League championship trophy has found a new house at even before the end of the league matches. The match yesterday against Havelocks saw the completion of the league games process and had no effect on champs Navy.
Navy has been toiling in the recent past to get their hands on the cup and got close. This year it was all hands aboard from the first game onwards as the destination board read “League Championship”.
This game had less than 60 stoppages including 17 penalties. This resulted in the time for ball in play being high. The spectators enjoyed a game that had the oval ball moving up and down and sideways and in circles as the men in the middle wanted a score. The players displayed good skill levels and that was fine for rugby. With a number of National caps wearing the Jersey of both sides it is a good indication of what we can do at the Asian 5 Nations. With around 16 scrums in the game it meant that there were few errors and the skills were good. There was just one incident of foul play (a late tackle) which showed that despite the intensity the players were disciplined. Though the penalty count is not high (17) the number at the tackle, Ruck and Maul was 15 drawing attention to an area that needs more discipline and skills.
Navy kicked with a purpose chasing Kandy back to safe areas which resulted in Kandy getting about 80% of the line outs. The Navy forced back Kandy who did not capitalize on their line out and failed prey to the Navy Game plan. The kicks: if not executed for gain of ground through a line out was done judiciously to keep the ball in play and force the opposition to err.
The long whistle was sweet music to the Navy players and supporters who brought a change to the history of changing the cup being among three traditional clubs. The game ended 34 points to 18 in favour of Navy.
What was good for rugby in Sri Lanka is that both teams were committed to play positive rugby and get into attacking positions. The skills of two top teams were good. This included ball handling, kicking, tackling and the play at the ruck and maul. The tackling was good and the locals of both sides did not hesitate to take on the bigger made pacific islanders who were prominent in attack and defence.
With the end of the league it will be the knock outs starting next week. The test will then be to play in the Asian-5-Nations. The way the players of the top clubs have adapted to the changing game and taken on foreign players upfront gives hope for the national team. We are among the first five in Asia and the task is to maintain that status. This is not impossibility as the skills and talent look good. We have seen the end of a league season and more crowds been drawn as games are better contested. The top teams have maintained the standards while debutants sharks have cut their teeth well. The Up Country Lions and Army did well to be join the first four; Navy, Kandy, Havelocks and CR. Air Force showed a lot of guts and determination playing without foreigners. They will have to think aloud of the strategy next year as they can make it to the top if they have that added supplement of foreign players. The source of concern is CH giants of the past who have lost their way somewhere somehow. While we have new numbers joining the top clubs the older clubs must get wiser to retain the position they have enjoyed.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB