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| Sunday, 23 April 2006 |
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April 29 - Day of decision for Sri Lanka rugby by Lal Gunasekera Next Saturday (April 29) will be "D Day" for Sri Lanka rugby. On that day they battle China in an Asian qualifying game of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) at Longdon Place at 3.30 p.m. and will know exactly where they stand. If Sri Lanka loses to China, not only will they be out of the RWC, but also from the Cup category of the Asian Championship to be staged in Colombo in November, as they would have failed in their attempts to be Asia's No. 3 behind Japan and South Korea. Even if Sri Lanka wins or loses against Hong Kong in another RWC qualifying game at Hong Kong in May 14, they would have failed to climb the ladder. They have to win both games (China and Hong Kong) in the RWC to be No. 3 in Asia. What are Sri Lanka's chances? Since the 24-12 triumph over Kazakhastan at Longden Place on November 12, Sri Lanka, have not played a 15's game. That's over five months. Also, though the 7's squad were in training for the Commonwealth Games held in Australia and the Hong Kong 7's, there has been no proper training for the 15's squad. There were also problems with national coach, New Zealander George Simpkin, relinquishing his post citing "personal reasons". He kept out for about two weeks, but was persuaded to take over his duties again from April 15. There were reports that Simpkin was threatened by a senior player who was later exonerated by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU). Even a majority of players in the national pool write to President Mahinda Rajapaksa about this incident and requested an impartial inquiry. This proves that there is a split among the players, and what effect it will have on our performances against China and Hong Kong is left to be seen. Sri Lanka are also hit by injury worries. Army's Asanka Perera, Marija of Kandy and Amjad Buksh also of Kandy are on the injured list, while Army's T. A. Silva is down with influenza. However, they are expected to recover before the game with China. At the moment, the Sri Lanka squad are in a residential camp from April 15 with Simpkin in charge assisted by C. P. Abeygunawardene. The SLRFU have also brought in its former President and a chief selector, Dr. Maiya Gunasekera, whose appointment as "Elite Performance Manager" is to see to complex issues, while Sqdr Ldr Sanjay Fernando continues to be manager to co-ordinate practice sessions, food, accommodation etc. Sri Lanka were to pick their 22-member team after a trial game against Army last Thursday (April 20) at Longden Place, but coach Simpkin has requested for another trial and the team is to be announced within the next day or two, but Kandy's Sajith Mallikaratchi, will continue to lead the national side, which is being sponsored again by Singer (Sri Lanka) Limited whose Chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya, is down to be the chief guest for the China game. China formed their Rugby Union only in 1996 and Simpkin had been their national coach too at one stage and also Hong Kong's. Sri Lanka have won five of their six previous games with China, who have since improved tremendously with players turning out for clubs in Hong Kong and even in England. China have also just completed a two-month training programme in New Zealand under famed All-Blacks coaches. Thus, China are going to be very tough opponents this time as they are well prepared. They have a strong set of forwards and fitness and strength are bound to play a leading role. Their squad comprising 28 players and four officials are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on Wednesday or Thursday and are likely to be accommodated at the Galadari Hotel. In the previous RWC qualifiers, Sri Lanka beat Thailand 48-38 at
Supunburi, beat Singapore 34-17 at Longden Place, lost to Kazakhastan 19-25
at Almaty, but beat Kazakhastan 24-12 in the return at Longden Place last
November. |
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