Kandy, CH players pull out affected Sri Lanka - Coach Carrington

Jatila KARAWITA

RUGBY: Makeshift Sri Lanka rugby coach John Carrington says that rugby authorities in the country must felicitate the second-string national team which recently toured Dubai for the HSBC Asian Five Nations Division 1 Qualifier. They undertook the tour displaying unwavering determination, courage and devotion in wearing the national jersey during a crisis period. The new-look team were caught up in an unexpected situation as 15 key players from Kandy SC and CH & FC withdrew at the eleventh hour.

"The players really got-together to put their heart and soul into it," he told Sunday Observer in a interview. "I simply cannot commend these players enough for coming forward to answer the call of the nation, and also for their commitment and passion shown in representing their country. Country comes first before anything, and as the results showed these players can hold their heads high and be proud of what they did in Dubai", Rugby coach Carrington said.

Sri Lanka led by former CR & FC captain and flanker Pavithra Fernando lost to Chinese Taipei 36-24 in their first game before winning the third place play-off `tie' against Thailand 51-17 to remain in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Division 1.

Carrington, who is in the country on a seven-month contract as head coach of CR & FC, stated that he would struggle to believe the 15 or so players from Kandy SC and CH & FC who boycotted the tour in protest at the selection of Pavithra Fernando as skipper, would be genuinely proud and honoured to be sporting the national colours in lieu of their last moment withdrawal.He pointed out that in his country New Zealand, the people would make every effort to play for their country in any sport, let alone rugby. However, it is the opposite in Sri Lanka.

"Representing one's country on the global stage in world sports, is indeed a special kind of honour, which cannot be put into words", the unassuming coach said. Speaking from his experience, the people in New Zealand would sacrifice anything if they could play for their national team.

But, it is completely different here and it is here. "The attitude of the players is a stumbling block for rugby football," coach Carrington said.

The caretaker rugby coach of Sri Lanka was of the view that his `charges' could have prevailed against Chinese Taipei, if they were not exhausted in the latter stages of the second-half and maintained that the 51-17 scoreline had done justice to the effort of the boys against Thailand.The Kiwi rugby coach who took over this short assignment, following a request made by captain Pavithra Fernando, insisted he would not want to comment on the abrupt exit of his predecessor George Simpkin as Sri Lanka coach and said that the final squad provided to him with limited preparations had far exceeded all his expectations during the tour.

"George (Simpkin) is a reputed rugby coach, and he would have had his reasons to quit, and it is not proper for him to comment on it", Carrington observed.

"However, what I would like to stress here is that the squad that I inherited finally, was not what George Simpkin had originally wanted, because two-thirds of the team had backed out over the captaincy row.

The experienced rugby coach who spoke of his main priority, being with the Longden Place based club, nevertheless expressed an interest to be further involved with the national team, but was quick to reiterate that a request to that effect must come through the relevant channels.

He was also profuse in his praise for the leadership exhibited both on and off the field by skipper Pavithra Fernando and advised the crack CR & FC flanker to be involved in the game, before quitting at this stage of his rugby career.

"Pavithra can offer so much more to Sri Lanka rugby", coach Carrington said, and added. Pavithra was quite inspirational both on and off the field in Dubai, and he went out of his way to look into the needs of his squad and ultimately managed to get the best out of his players.

Even if Fernando gives up the game, he should consider being involved with the rugby set-up as you guys can benefit immensely from his expertise", CR coach Carrington said.