It is essential to select the type of foreign player a club needs
View(s):The League moves into the next round in a different environment where the battle lines and the actors are clearly identified. The game is expected to be more competitive as teams will want a win to keep their position in the table.
Kandy is leading the table at the end of the first round but cannot be too happy with them. Navy is in second place. The game is on between these two sides who at times falter through on field lethargy and at times have been lucky not o have lost a match or two. Both teams have won seven of eight matches in the first round but has not very inspiring other than in a few matches than have produced rugby that keep the spectator interested. I am wiring on the assumption that the fight is among these two teams for the cup.
The thinking should not lead to people crying and asking what about us: the seven other teams in the league. I know you have been there and spending to be their but performing in fits and starts that does not give confidence to be included as contenders for the cup.
Among the clubs that do not occupy first or second place I reckon that Havelocks who are in third place can gave a run to the first two. Havelock’s have five wins the same as CR and Army. Compare this to Kandy and Navy who have won seven games. To get to the top ahead of the two leaders is a tough and somewhat wishful to ask.
In the next round Kandy and Navy will continue to fight for its place at the top. When you look at the on field performance Havelock’s appears to be a side that can provide a competition to these teams but have to win all their matches in the second round. They have to beat Kandy as well as Navy and hope that these two teams will also at least lose once each to another team. Comparatively that is a tough task considering that Havelock’ have faulted physically in the latter stages of the game in the first round and expecting them to stay on for eight more games is a big hope. Yet considering Havelock’s that have fought their way through they can make it if they make use of the conditions.
Placed sixth is Police with three wins. Sharks have two wins while CH has one and Air Force has lost all their games. So they will be fighting not to fall on to the bottom of the barrel and fight among them which will be interesting to them but scrappy to the spectator. While the games itself as seen have no structure the expectation are high as nobody wants to lose.
Having watched the Police and Army match, I wondered whether there was any plan to play cohesive rugby. All that happens is that play is centered on one or two foreign players who at time run all along the park and finish not having anybody to support and concede a turnover and or penalty at most time for holding on. This is not something limited to these two clubs but have an issue to be raised most playing foreigners in the league. The question I have is whether the Fijians who are natural Sevens players are the best to play club fifteen a side rugby. They seem to carry with them the sevens tendency of individual working for a break or off loading in sevens style and losing the ball.
Clubs that spend a lot of money and get nothing may have to look again on what type of game you want to play and what player is needed to fit in. If not clubs will spend and not get a return appropriate for the money spent while national rugby too suffers. This also leads to frustration which then is directed to others who you blame for the team not getting high in the table.
As fresh brooms are elected to sweep Sri Lanka and some of those brooms will take a position in the Sports Arena which includes rugby there will be a need to re-examine the process. Playing foreigners in the domestic league is a good thing. However their presence should encourage and foster the game and centering all on the imports will do little to push the game forward. The Union has given the option and it is left for the stakeholders to make best use of the opportunity having eyes on the game as well as contributing to National Rugby. Rugby second round and 2015 and it will be interesting and then we will see the schools too entering the field at the end of the month.
* Vimal Perera is a former rugby player, coach, referee and an IRB Accredited Referees’ Educator