A short ride for Kandy and a long one for others
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Even Kandy SC's bench looks stronger than the usual starters of their opponents. This has been one of strong points in Kandy's march this season - File pic by Amila Gamage
In the context of the geography of Sri Lanka, Kandy Sports Club is located at a distance away from the rest of the clubs playing in the Dialog Rugby League. They are also detached from the rest of the clubs that are playing in the top rugby league: A distance that will make a challenge very remote. Are they like the ‘All Blacks’ who can demoralise any strength an opposition has? If so how do they do it?
There is another four weeks of top division rugby left. Kandy having won ten out of ten will be the hot favourites hold this cup aloft yet again.
Havelocks and Navy are three wins behind and the chance of closing on seems out of the question. It seems that the chances of Kandy being beaten by either Navy or Havelocks — there is are a hope. May be somebody could? Navy play hosts to Kandy at Welisara next week. Else it is Havelocks who might make a dent in the Kandy unbeaten record.
By the time this is in print Kandy will have finished their match of yesterday. I see CH as a side that can give a torrid time to Kandy as they are quick at the ruck but are prone to get penalised. If this match goes the way of Kandy the rest of the matches are of academic interest as far as the cup goes.
The fight for second and third places will continue. The matches that will be of interest will start from the week of rugby starting on January 26 and will continue to the second week of February. That is because of the matches between Kandy, Havelocks and Navy will be during this time. CH on the other hand has to play Army, Police and CR which gives them greater opportunity for being in fourth place or even climb higher. For them it is an achievement having been at the bottom of the table last year.
While rugby is less exciting other than when a games is played in Kandy people grumble that there is less crowds as the game does not flow. The reason some believe is because the referees penalise too much. I do not deny the fact that sometimes the decisions are pedantic. There is less emphasis about the ball flow at the break down. We try to emulate the Kiwi brand of a single man going for a hit and going to ground. This becomes brainless unlike for the New Zealand as we have less support players to take a pass and get over the gain line. Once on the ground there is less structure to get good and quick ball. What we see is either a going over the top, a not release or fringing. Disruption of a different nature is what we have.
I have reasons to think that the referees are pedantic or conscientious because there will be a report sent by clubs that speaks of the number of mistakes a referee makes. Some may have a bone to pick while other may be because the whistle is held back as it is not material or as interpretation may be different. I have a notion that even without the issues of referees the game is a ‘Pick Me’ up and slow motion hits with the ball slowed down.
Even despite the judicial reviews and or the referee issuing cards the repetition of being pulled up for foul play is high. I also see sometimes the mistakes of the whistle blowers being repeated and or the blower taking stage often than he should. The issue I believe there are few who can take their place. So we have the Peter principle of every man rises to the level of his inefficiency in both aspects of the game. Peter said that “that the selection of a candidate for a position is based on the candidate’s performance in their current role, rather than on abilities relevant to the intended role. Thus, employees only stop being promoted once they can no longer perform effectively, and “managers rise to the level of their incompetence”.
It is not limited to rugby but a malaise of the country. On the other hand who will be bothered about rugby when we have much to focus on: Five or six years? Bond Scams, Insider Dealing, Pick Pockets, and Elections etc. taking the time of those who are in charge. A any reason to be bothered about rugby when there is so much on your plate. Then it is left for rugby to regulate itself so as to provide a better game for the die hard. That will muster some to the ground. Otherwise it will be just another “one for the road.” Else is it back to the trees jumping from branch to branch all the way to Kandy?
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, Coach and an Accredited Referees’ Evaluator IRB