Hosts Sri Lanka may wait till as late as Wednesday to name their final playing squad of 12 for the sixth and final leg of the inaugural Asian Sevens rugby series organized jointly by the Tharunyata Hetak Foundation and the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) titled ‘Carlton Sevens’ which is set to kick off on Nov 27 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

The Lankan contingent have an indoor practice session (Pic Sanka Vidanagama)

The tournament has been divided into four groups with Asian rugby powerhouse Japan, Kazakhstan, Iran forming group ‘A’, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Jordan being in group ‘B’, China, Malaysia, Brunei from group ‘C’ and Sri Lanka, South Korea and Pakistan filling up group ‘D’.

Sri Lanka’s relatively young team, face a stiff test. The David’s of rugby have to beat both Pakistan and Goliath South Korea to avoid facing Japan in one of the Cup quarter finals. Sources said it is not about picking the best 12, but rather dropping three players as there are only 15 to choose from anyway.
With drop outs and injuries, Sri Lanka will require the few seniors they have to lead from the front. Third rower Ashen Karthelis along with ace flanker Dilip Selvam and centre Chamara Vithanage will have to be at their very best. These three will also have to shepherd players like Rajan Dharshana Ettipola, and Pathan Vishwamithra Jayasinghe.

Ettipola was outstanding in the Youth Asiad played earlier this year. Whether he can duplicate the same kind of form against much stiffer opposition, if picked in the final 12 - remains to be seen. Arguably the one department Sri Lanka does not have to worry about is place kicking with both wing three quarter Nuwan Hettiarachchi and Samantha Lakshan able to make maximum use of any mistakes by the opposition.

Though young Kingswoodian Roshan Weeraratne is quick from the base and his contribution both for ball retention and to gain possession will be vital. Saliya Handapangoda is very quick but was not a regular member of Army during their Caltex league campaign. The seniors in the squad will also need 100 per cent from players like Niranjan Wickramaratne, Suranga Pushpakumara, Sharo Fernando and Dinusha Chaturanga to name just a few.

Should the hosts get past South Korea and Pakistan, they will in all probability face formidable Kazakhstan in the quarter finals. Thus the path to Cup glory has many obstacles and it remains to be seen whether the Lankan Lions can get past all of them.

Meanwhile as mentioned in these columns William Rider also known as Little Serevi will be part of the Fijian contingent that will take on Australia Legends, New Zealand Legends, South Africa, Western Samoa and Papua New Guinea in a separate sevens tournament that will be played along with the Carlton Sevens.

Incidentally Papua New Guinea is coached by Waiseli Serevi. The team includes; Montgomery Diave, Alex Huau, Benjamin John, Buckley Joseph, Karo Kauna, Lawrence Kuso JNR, Albert Levi. Sova Milfred, Bobby Pao, Gare Ponda, Leo Tikot JR and Kojo Ware.

Fiji from; Seremaia Nakala Buroto, Pio Tuwai, Watisoni Votu, Setafano Osonamoli Cakaunivalu, Apisai Masiyasa Naiyabo, Ratu Emosi Vucago, Jiuta Beletinikoloni Lutumailagi, William Rider, Lepani Botia Nabuliwaqa, Ratu Osea Ramodi Kolinisau, Niumaia Gaunavinaka Rokobuli and Vimaele Tuidraki.