Rugby Rumble gets sparkling push

The stage is set for the second edition of the Rugby Rumble scheduled for kick-off on September 5 and 6 at the CR and FC ground Longden Place where a variety of players from youth to veterans will be on show in what organizers say is an occasion of fun and entertainment for the whole family.

The matches to be played fall into the tag-rugby (non-tackling) category which according to the organisers is catching up fast in Asia.

Teams with players from leading schools in the country will contest the matches.

A team is entitled to be tagged (ribbon-snatched) five times when on the attack by the defending side who will then take possession of the ball. The knock-on and forward-pass rule found in traditional rugby will apply and the matches will be refereed by recognized officials.

To spice up the tournament, which is a seven-a-side event, each team will be entitled to field two women players.

"Rugby is not just about sport alone, it is also about entertainment. With more teams contesting and more people witnessing Rugby Rumble, the tournament is destined to expand as the years go by", said tournament director Dilroy Fernando.

Mobitel and Coca Cola are two of the main sponsors of the tournament which also offers plenty of side-show activity for fans including kids.

An added feature to this year's tournament is an exhibition match featuring former club rugby players from CR and FC and Havelocks which Fernando contends is designed to bring together a forgotten fraternity.

"While popularizing the tag-rugby tournament, it is also an occasion to give something back to former players and keep them in the game", said Fernando.

Expected to be on show will be Michael Jayasekera, Marco De Silva, Hisham Abdeen, Aruna Uduwelagedera, Kolitha Gunatilleke, Graham Raux, Roger Rodrigo, Chaminda Rupasinghe, Thusitha Peiris, Kamal Mahendra and Alex Nishantha from Havelocks with Pavithra Fernando, Jehan CanagaRetna, Rienzie Fernando, Sean Dwight, Ravi Gunaratne, Chula Dharmadasa, Vipula Dharmadasa, Chirantha De Soyza and Rohan Chinthaka to come from CR and FC.

Prize money of Rs.700,000 is on offer along with trophies for the winning team.

Rugby Rumble, according to the organisers will also take an international twist as renowned MC/Animator of the Dubai Rugby Sevens Dave Crane will be part as the host of the event.

"Dave is an integral part of the success of the Dubai Rugby Sevens and he'll be bringing that same unique brand of electrifying skill and performance to Sri Lanka which is sure to be a fun experience for the spectators" said Fernando.

All participants will be kitted out in Canterbury jerseys with their school or team colours. Three foreign teams, Lanka Lions from Dubai, Allama Iqbal Town Rugby from Pakistan and Lions from Qata rwill also enter the fray.