Dilanka - doubtful starter for World Cup Sevens Asian qualifier

By Jatila KARAWITA

RUGBY: Sri Lanka flanker, former CH and FC and St. Peter's captain Dilanka Wijesekera is a doubtful starter for Sri Lanka's Rugby World Cup campaign in Hong Kong next month being laid low by injury and Havelocks SC player Sharo Fernando and 2008 St. Peter's skipper Poornaka Delpachithra have been put in as stand byes, President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), DIG Nimal Lewke told Sunday Observer.

'Dilanka (Wijesekera) is nursing an injury and he is constantly being monitored' he said.

"As only 12 can be taken for the tournament we have decided to place Sharo (Fernando) and (Poornaka) Delpachithra as stand byes in case the injury which is related to his ankle worsens." DIG Lewke said that both Havies flanker Sharo Fernando and Peterite loose forward Poornaka Delpachithra had excelled in the concluded 2008 Inter-club and School season respectively, and deserved to be put in line for a call-up to the national Sevens team.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are expected to face India and hosts Hong Kong at Cause Way Bay Stadium on October 4 and 5, 2008 as part of the RWC (Rugby World Cup Asian Qualifiers). Other famed teams to compete at this event will be Asian heavyweights Japan, Korea along with Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, India and Guam.

The probable Sri Lanka 12 for the Asian Rugby World Cup Qualifiers: Pradeep Liyanage Captain and Saliya Kumara (Kandy), Amjad Buksh, A. Karthelis, Lasintha de Costa, Ashan de Costa, M. Sheriff (all from CR & FC), Wasim Thajudeen (Havelocks SC), Dilanka Wijesekera (CH&FC), Chula Susantha (Police SC), Dinusha Chathuranga, Sajith Saranga (both fromIsipathana), Stand Byes - Sharo Fernando (Havelocks SC) and Poornaka Delpachithra (St. Peter's).