Rugby: Skipper Marija woes lack of 15’s exposure as Sri Lanka gears up for A5N

Sri Lanka is set to see eye-to-eye with the big-made players of the Kazakhstan rugby team on Wednesday in Manila, Philippines in the opening game of the ARFU Asian5Nations Division I Rugby Tournament.   Four teams – Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Singapore and hosts Philippines – will vie for a promotion to the Top Division of the tournament where big guns of Asian rugby such as Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea.   The Sri Lankan Tuskers led by Kandy Sports Club fly-half Fazil Marija, who is also the national 7s skipper, is hopeful that his team could pull off a win and go a step forward on their way back to the Top Division.   The last time Sri Lanka took on Kazakhstan was two years ago at Havelock Park in Colombo.   The game was special for fullback Reza Mubarak, who contributed with 19 points in Sri Lanka’s 49-18 win against the Kazakhs.   This time around too, Mubarak will be one of the few seniors in the team besides Marija, Henry Terence, Kishore Jehan, Sean Wijesinghe, Roshan Weeraratne and Sharo Fernando.   Sri Lanka has a combination of experienced and youngsters, which Marija thinks is essential for the islanders in the long run.   “There are lots of youngsters who are below the age category of 23. Most of them, the whole of backline, have played 7s rugby with me, so I know about them well. Out of them Danushka Ranjan and Sandun Herath are two of the assets Sri Lanka should treasure for the future,” Marija stated.   The one-time Asia’s best fly-half stated that this season his team has had enough of time for preparation under South African Johan Taylor, who is apparently the coach of double crown winners Kandy SC.   Having spent much of his time in Sri Lanka with Kandy SC, Marija is of the view that Taylor looks into all aspect of rugby, within and beyond the field to create the much needed bond among players.   “He (Taylor) is a good coach. We have had many coaches in charge of Sri Lanka but Johan’s (Taylor) approach has been totally different with the boys. He knows and seen most of us play, he knows the culture and he reads the players better than anyone. He has brought that difference in coaching and training. We struggled during the past couple of years to gel as a unit, on game plans and training structures. By now the players have felt the difference of having a good coach,” Marija added.   Despite the fact that Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) has been gracious enough to look after the national squad, providing all facilities, Marija, as an experienced player from the unit, feels Sri Lanka should play more internationals.   Last year Sri Lanka played two extra games – against Madagascar and Poland in a locally organised tri-series – besides their home and away games against Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines.   Though a total of eight games were played last season, Sri Lanka has not played a single 15s games for 2015. The upcoming two games – against Kazakhstan and the winner or loser from the Philippines vs Singapore game – are the only officially slotted matches so far.   “My impression is that Sri Lanka should play at least 10 games a year. We play two games this year, but a few more games, invitational at least, could give us players more confident. This is something the officials should consider seriously,” he pointed out.   After the first game between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan at 2.00pm, Philippine will take on Singapore at 4.00pm at the Philippines Sports Stadium in Manila.   After a break of two days the losers of the first round games will meet at 4.00pm followed by the game between the winners at 6.00pm.   “Our aim is to get back there, to the Top Division. The first hurdle will be the Kazakhs and for whoever comes next we will have a fitting game plan. The team is confident that Sri Lanka can win the Cup and gain the promotion we are looking forward at”.   The Sri Lanka 15s squad:   Props: Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Ganuka Disanayaka, Henry Terence, Kishore Jahan   Hookers: Dulanjala Wijesinghe, Achala Perera   2nd Rows: Jason Melder, Randika Alwis, Shehan Dimithri, Sean Wijesinghe   3rd Row: Shahsika Jayawardane, Sharo Fernando, Buwanaka Udangamuwa, Suhiru Anthony   Scrumhalf: Roshan Weeraratne, Kavindu de Costa   Flyhalf: Fazil Marija (Captain), Dulaj Perera   Centres: Danushka Ranjan, Kanchana Ramanayaka, Dinusha Chathuranga   Wings: Sandun Herath, Lawanga Perera   Fullbacks: Nigel Ratwatte, Riza Mubarak   Stand by: Rohan Theagarajah, Hirantha Perera, Ashoka Jayalal   Reserves: Ganidu Lakshan, Rahul de Silva, Anuradha Herath