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| Sunday, 17 August 2003 |
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Belgium and Denmark brought in to make it 16 for Kandy's International Rugby 7's by LAL GUNESEKERA Both France and Netherlands were replaced by Belgium and Denmark to form the 16 nations competing at the 5th Singer-Sri Lankan Airlines International Rugby 7's of the Kandy Sports Club to be staged at the Bogambara Stadium on September 5, 6 and 7. This is being sponsored by Singer (Sri Lanka) Limited and SriLankan Airlines and co-sponsored by Connaissance de Ceylan with ANCL being the print media sponsor. Chairman of the Organising Committee Iswan Omar, told the Sunday Observer that France decided to pull out due to their World Cup involvement and were not keen on sending a second string side to Sri Lanka. Belgium who were brought in won the Plate category at the Merman 7's three months ago. Omar further said that China, too, were very keen to play, but could not be accommodated as the Asian teams are given a chance on rotation. He said: "Last year (2002), their performance was not very good and even India was kept out this year. However, China, will be invited next year." The 16 countries will be divided into four groups. They are Arabian Gulf, Belgium, Chinese Taipei, Cook Island, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand Centurions, Portugal, Potoroos from Australia, Singapore, South Korea and Sri Lanka. Nearly all the sides are expected to arrive on September 3 with Hong Kong being the first, while some arrive on the following day. He said that the draw is to take place on August 21 (Thursday) in Colombo. The Potoroos outfit comprises three former Australian players (John Ross, Joel Boogers and Cameron Adams) and also an Aussie schoolboys 7's player in Sean Chapman. Two international referees from Hong Kong will "blow" in Kandy. They are Blair Collier and Kelvin Lawrence, and also Germany's Bernard Gabbie and Japan's Taiso Hirabayashi. Also due for the 7's are Jamie Scott (Secretary-General of the Asian Rugby Football Union), Gerard Gallaher (International Rugby Board representative in Hong Kong) and several other foreign dignitaries from the IRB and ARFU. Last year (2002), Portugal won the Cup beating Kenay 24-21, South Korea winning the Plate beating Malaysia 27-26 and Hong Kong the Bowl beating India 50-0. Sri Lanka after beating India 36-19, Belgium 33-10 and South Korea 17-4 entered the Cup category where they beat Arabian Gulf 24-5 in the quarter-final, but losing to Kenya 0-33 in the semi-final. Schools 7's The 16 sides vying for honours in the Schools 7's too have confirmed participation and the draw is to take place next week. The 16 sides are Royal, S. Thomas', Isipatana, St. Peter's, Ananda, Thurstan, Wesley, Trinity, St. Anthony's, Dharmaraja, St. Sylvester's, Kingswood and the Development Squads from Ruhunu RFU, Kurunegala RFU, Sabaragamuwa RFU and Matale RFU. |
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