As perennial champions, Kandy SC certainly deserve the time and space afforded by having to face slightly safer opposition in the first three weeks.
This will enable the team officials to break a couple of players in and get them accustomed to the swing of things. It also provides a heaven-sent opportunity to test their bench strength.Coach Johann Taylor seems to be blissfully unaware of such possibilities. It doesn’t matter, he says, if it’s the Havies, the CR or the Navy. “We have a game plan and we hope to follow it.”
Chairman Rugby Committee, ex Sri Lankan player Lasantha Wijesuriya feels that this year’s team is better prepared than last year’s. He points to the off season tour of South Africa and Dubai. They lost the last match 7-8 but it was quite a game.
It is felt that the highlight of the tour was the half hour address given to the team by the captain of the World Cup winning 1996 team Francis Piennar.
Practices started in late November and around twelve Kandy SC players were involved in the five nation Asian Tournament. Brilliant fly half and play-maker Fazil Marija who sustained an injury in Singapore will be back in action after eight weeks. Back division player Radhika Hettiarachchi is also injured but should be up and about in a week’s time.
Much interest is focused on the two new-comers scrum half Roshan Weeraratne and winger Dharshana Attipola. The former has already had a taste of big time rugby.
In the absence of Marija former CR player Mohammed Sheriff will replace Marija.
The likely teams for today’s initial engagement against the Havelocks are likely to be as follows:
- Props – Kishore Jehan, Eranga Swarnatilleke.
- Hooker – Achala Perera
- Flankers – Sajith Saranga, Dilip Chelvam
- No 8 – Sean Wijesinghe
- Halves – Roshan Weeraratne, Mohammed Sheriff
- Centres–Pradeep Liyanage (Capt),Chamara Vithanage
- Wingers–Sanjeeva Jayasinghe, Dharshana Attipola.
- Full back–Saliya Kumara.
Success on the field usually bespeaks a well-organized club structure. Kandy SC is very fortunate to have a back-room boy and silent worker such as Leslie de Soysa. He has been involved in the club for 35 years and thirteen of those have been spent as Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Singer Sri Lanka and Etisalat are the co-sponsors of the champions’ side. |
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