Sri Lanka to play in Hong Kong Sevens
RUGBY: Sri Lanka will be playing in the 2009 Cathay Pacific Credit
Suisse Hong Kong Sevens and they will have to contend with top World
Sevens Rugby teams New Zealand, Australia and Zimbabwe in Pool `C'
according to the draw released by the organisers of the tournament, the
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU).
The forthcoming event to be held from March 27-29 in Kowloon, is
traditionally regarded as the showpiece Sevens Rugby Tournament in Asia.
It will coincide with 32 years of Sevens rugby in Hong Kong.
The tourney will also complete a decade of association with the World
Rugby Sevens Series organised by the sport's world controlling body -
the International Rugby Board (IRB).
According to the draw, besides Sri Lanka, Asian giants Japan, Korea,
China, Chinese Taipei, and hosts Hong Kong will contest from the region,
while, New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa, Samoa and England are also
expected to vie for Cup Honours. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka national rugby
selection panel headed by Rohan Abhayakoon has chosen a preliminary pool
of 24 players in preparation for the upcoming tournament in HK.
The selectors after having witnessed the on-going Colombo-leg of the
Inter-Club Sevens are expected to further expand the pool.
The Pool draw for the HK Sevens
Pool `A': South Africa, France, Uruguay, Korea.
Pool `B;: England, Wales, Japan, China.
Pool 'C': New Zealand, Australia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka; Pool `D':
Argentina, Portugal, Tonga, Hong Kong. Pool `E': Fiji, Samoa, Canada,
Chinese Taipei.
Pool `F': Kenya, West Indies, Scotland, USA.
The Sri Lanka 24-member Pool: Wasim Thajudeen, Ashen Karthelis,
Dilanka Wijesekera, Sajith Saranga, Amjad Bukhs, Ashan de Costa,
Lasingtha de Costa, Pradeep Liyanage, Mohammed Sheriff, Saliya Kumara,
P. Chathuranga, Chula Susantha, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, Gayan Weerarathna,
Chamara Vithanage, Samantha Lakshan, Fazil Marija, Tuan Shamrock, Shane
Dissanayake, Ravi Wekadapola, Shanaka Chandimal, Jagath Suranga,
Dhanushka Perera and Dushanth Lewke. JK
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