The Sunday Times Sports - Good show but where to from here?

The Singer Sri Lankan Sevens, an IRB satellite event, ended with Korea ending up as champions beating China in the Final played last week at Nittawela. Sri Lanka lost to Korea in the Semi Final by 12 points to 14. Sri Lanka having beaten Pakistan, in the first round, in a lacklustre match, thereafter beat Arabian Gulf to move into the Quarter final stage. They met and beat Thailand in a convincing performance. Yet better was the match against Korea, in the semi-final, which they lost after a keen contest.

Was it that Korea was superior or that Sri Lanka lost on its substitution? With a fast moving Korean side the new legs on the field would always been an advantage. However the composition of the side was that the Lankans did not have those who could match the Korean game to come in as to replace tired legs. Nevertheless the Lanka side has to be commended for a very good performance. For the records we have done better and did well to be in the semi-final of the cup.

Sri Lanka then lost to Chinese Taipei in the play off for the 3rd and 4th place. This was a performance that was nowhere close to the semi–final game. With two of the first seven of the line up being injured Sri Lanka took the field: a battered side nursing the effects of the game against Korea. Some seem to give this excuse as defense for the submissive performance. If we had won the semi-final against Korea what would we have done? We must play to win even if it means more than one tough match. We seemed not prepared to face two big games on the same day. The Koreans who had a tough game against the Sri Lanka went on to face China in the final. This was a very tough game for them. Yet they were able to withstand the pressure and the challenge to emerge champions.

The question however is where to from here and what we do to get there. There is a lot of hard work to put in. Fitness as well as being tough are factors that has to be developed. The Sri Lankan also need to have more confidence on the ball and the only way to achieve that is by playing more and more. There is a need to have the team available early so that what has to be done will be drilled during practice than to receive a team a day or two before the match.

In this sense what the Lankans have to learn is more about the shorter version of the game. Sevens rugby is all about possession; and attack is the best position to be in. This is a game where there will be fewer rucks and fewer mauls with more ball being passed and or thrown about. This would require a very fit team who are mobile and have good handling skills. The success of the All Blacks in the sevens according to Gordon Tietjens their coach has been a combination of superior fitness, mobility and skill.

The need is for ability to win the ball and retain it. This has to be even when going backwards, sideways and under pressure as it is the backbone of the game. There is a need for players with high ball skills, handling and running ability. The need to clear pressure and move the ball away from areas of congestion rather than pick it up and run is another need. The use of full length and width of the field is an element of sevens rugby and the tendency to go into the man in front has to be avoided. The need to pass and back up the carrier and use the width is as or more important to stretch the defense, make the gaps bigger and maintain depth in attack. To pass and to back up to receive another pass is more important than to pass and keep running ahead. At times this did not happen. Attacking players should always be available. Support is vital. Players must support in their zone, rather than chase and have their "nose to the ball" as a support player would do in traditional rugby.

In Defense you have to threaten the opposition’s time and space. There being no offside from general play you can virtually take and or be with the man but must be able to get behind the offside line when required. It is a must to cover kicks ahead and breaks. This requires sweeping by the outsides.To be able to do all this would require a set of players who are superior in fitness skills and game knowledge. This has to be done as we step up at each level.