We have what it takes to win a medal
The Tuskers, led by Sudarshana Muthuthanthri will be in action this week - File pic
Next week, the Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) 7s team will be in action in its quest for a medal. One that they really want and capable of wresting. Sri Lanka best performed in Rugby 7s in the 2014 Asian Games, when they were placed 4th behind Japan, Hong Kong (HK) and South Korea (SK). Up 2 positions from 6th in 2010. Will they break the medal winning hoodoo this time around? A capable set of players, with the required skills, have been selected. The question, however, is whether they will play 7s or a 7-minute 15s game.
Sri Lanka has yet to have its name etched in the list of medal winners, in the ongoing Asian Games, as of Wednesday (22). Hopefully, it would do so, soon. What does it matter, when we have more pressing issues such as National Reconciliation, Provincial Council Elections, Death Penalty, Next Presidential Candidate etc. On the side of Sport there is Cricket, it’s Annual General Meeting and the 2019 World Cup attracting more attention.
Drawn into Pool ‘C’, along with SK, the UAE and Afghanistan, Sri Lanka is virtually assured of a place in the quarterfinals, along with SK. Speculating through rankings, it appears that HK and China from Pool ‘A’, and Japan and Malaysia from Pool ‘B’, would be the others that form the 6 teams.
The last 2 to complete 8 will be from the best placed as 3rd in each Group in the Pool stage. That again is based on rankings, and it could be Thailand, Chinese Taipei and the UAE in that order, from Groups ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’. I would not bet on Pakistan, Indonesia and or Afghanistan making it into the last 8. The inclusion of Rugby in Olympics paved the way and interest for new countries, new audiences as well as new players. In this direction, it is disappointing that we do not see some old Asian Rugby playing nations such as India, Singapore, Kazakhstan or Philippines in the 7s groups. However, Kazakhstan and Singapore are in the Women’s League. The Games see new entrants Afghanistan and Indonesia.
With SL having more than a good chance of making the last 8, the question is about their medal prospects. Having been among the 1st 3 in Asian 7s Rugby in the past, the medal prospects are real. However, 7s is a game that could make or break in 1 match or, 1 move. Hopefully, they have got over the continued attraction of seeing the bin through ‘Yellow’ cards. On the other hand, 7s being 7s, what is to prevent the UAE, Pakistan, Indonesia or Afghanistan from making it to the last 8.
Having said that, SL’s chances of making the last 4 would depend on how well we do in the Pool stage. SL has all the capabilities to beat the UAE and Afghanistan, in their Pool games. However, the critical test is to beat SK, to get an easier opponent in the quarters. We have beaten SK before but, in recent years, we have succumbed to them. But, we still could, if the proud pronouncements made periodically that Lankan Rugby has improved, is true. What has been our disaster is the penalties at critical times, as well as wrong decisions such as going into too much contact, when the structure does not support ball retention.
The passage to the last 4 will be what determines the chances of a medal for SL. Not only will it help a so-far-medal-barren SL 2018 Asian Games, it will also help Lankan Rugby. SL will have a morale booster to its chances for Lankan Rugby in the up and coming Asian 7s Circuit. Or else, it will also mean that the new Council, with new players, having to seriously go back to the drawing board.
That also means the administration having to answer the ‘COPE’ justifying the structures and the expenditures, especially in the light of a not so endearing Auditor General’s Report. The Report will be tabled in Parliament. Either way, there is a lot of hard work ahead. To place Rugby where it should be. A wag commented on SL’s boast about the star class improvement in recent times, was like entering Hilton from the old Parliament building side and crossing to York Street, having your meals in Hospital Street and back to Hilton from the front, and exiting from the rear.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, Coach and an Accredited Referees’ Evaluator IRB