Lessons that are priceless often come free
View(s):Asian giant Japan once again has been in the news in the Rugby World Cup after beating Samoa. Japan waited 24 years for a second World Cup victory but had to wait only three weeks to get their second victory in a tournament this time around. With another match on the cards against the USA who are at the bottom of the table, Japan looks as they would get the team of the tournament. The outside chance of a quarter-final is still on the cards but Japan will be a happy side when they return home if they win three matches and even if they don’t get a place in the quarters.
Will the feat of Japan provide a booster for Asian Rugby? Whilst Asian rugby joins in the celebrations how many years more will there be before a second team from Asia will be able to join Japan at the top of World Rugby. Hong Kong and Korea the closest to Japan are still much behind and China is in a swing high and low mood with nothing concrete. Sri Lanka with over 100 years of rugby has yet to blossom in the 15-a-side game.
The greatest loser at this moment will be England, the hosts who has not made it to the quarter-final. The English side is the first host nation who has failed to make to the quarter-finals. Despite being the host nation England were by joined by Australia and Wales to make a tough pool group. What will the World Cup be without the host at least to take you down a quarter from here? The pain for English rugby may no doubt be unbearable but the review for Lancaster may not be immediate. There may not be a need for a review as it was just that England were not VERY good.
The quarter-finalists have virtually been decided and the only question mark is in Pool B where Scotland and Japan are in contention with a match each yet to be played. On points as it is, it looks like Scotland will make it to the quarters and will join Ireland and Wales from Great Britain which will be another factor English rugby will find difficult to figure out. The pride will be seriously dented.
Japan inspired other Asian rugby-playing nations with two upset, yet hard-fought wins in the ongoing World Cup
South Africa despite the serious first match defeat has ploughed back on the field and on form will be a contender to reach the semi-final phase. The Springboks entered the quarter-final with a resounding win which saw the demolition of USA by 64 points to 0. In Pool A, Wales are already in the quarters and their last match against Australia will decide who will head this pool. The importance of winning is that the winner may not have to face South Africa who is expected to top Pool B.
A win for Scotland against Samoa will seal their place in the quarters. In Pool C, it will be New Zealand and Argentina that will move to the quarters. The two matches on hand are New Zealand vs. Tonga and Argentina vs. Namibia. In Pool D it is France and Ireland who have their last battle against each other and will determine who will lead this pool.
Thus we see as I said before Great Britain in the quarters without England. There will be a number of teams fighting to finish third in their group, and ensure automatic qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. These include Italy, Tonga, Japan and, of course England who occupy the four third spots.
What can Sri Lanka take from the loss of England now that Japan is carving a niche for Asia in World Rugby? It is the lesson of what happens, in sport and is the same as that happens in life. Events turn against us all. They can talk honestly about thisthat happens, in sport and in life. Even though events will turn against everybody the need is to have a solid vision and a plan like the one that Japan had and has. Rugby in Sri Lanka can talk honestly and make changes.
The question however is as to who will make the changes as we are in a short term mode with an interim committee in place. The good thing I understand is that former President Asanga Seneviratne is putting all hands on the wheel to make the Asian Rugby Sevens third leg played this weekend in Sri Lanka a success. It is evidently a course of action as what comes first is Sri Lanka Rugby. For that he deserves a round of applause and may be his eye of the plum office of ARFU will be a success. What is still needed is for the Ministry of Sports to look at elections and a long term plan and not to live by the day as it is now.
* Vimal Perera is a former player, coach, referee and an IRB Accredited Referees’ Educator