The National Rugby player, Rizah Mubarak met with ThePapare team for a candid one-on-one into his life with Rugby.
Did you grow up dreaming of wearing a Tusker’s jersey and playing for the national team?
Well, my entry to rugby was a strange twist. I started off as a football player and my goal was to represent the national football team. However, I was a huge fan of the CR which got me to watching a rugby match between CR and Kandy. Then a friend motivated me to get into rugby. Having a late approach to rugby – at the age of 17 – I cant say I grew up dreaming of playing at the highest level.
You are a person who didn’t expect big from rugby. What did you feel when you first got selected to represent the national team?
Everything was happening really fast. I started playing Rugby in 2005. Before I knew it, I was representing the Under 19 national team in 2007 and the next thing was being called for the senior national pool. So all it took was approximately three years and I never thought I’ll make it to the team. This was frankly a surprise to me.
Being successful in such a short period of time not only the coaches but also senior players might have helped you, any memories down that lane?
In 2008 when I joined the national pool Dushantha Lewke was the captain of the national team. Apart from that Dilanka Wijesekara, Danushka Perera, Amjad Buksh and Pavithra Fernando were also senior players. Some of them were playing for CR. So I got the opportunity to closely observe their playing and it helped me a lot in my club career.
You grew up loving CR and it seems you’ve learnt a lot from the club as well, but in 2012 May decided to leave the club, at least for a short period; any comments on this?
Yes, it was a tough decision but it wasn’t solely my idea either. There were more than thirteen of us who left due to a disagreement with the changed management. I was on the lookout for other clubs but regardless of the issues I didn’t feel at home in any club other than CR. So it was obvious that I’ll return to CR some day soon.
As a kicker you had a brilliant performance. How do you manage the stress before kicking?
Sure, before a kick it’s like an ‘all eyes on you moment’. When it comes to crowd cheers and other factors you really need to have extra confidence in making a kick at a match compared to practices. I always know my range which is about 50m. So if I am within the range I don’t hesitate. And as for stress, I focus only on my kick nothing else. I would hardly notice someone calling out to me just before, because I am so absorbed in my kick.
Do you have a stringent work ethic when it comes to kicking?
Yes i do. So I usually kick when my mates rest after a session. Considering the tactics and special ethics I learned a lot when I was in SA and also Ben Gollings helped a lot.
What is your perspective on your personal score-card in rugby?
I don’t see it as a personal thing. My scoring really matters for the whole team and takes away the game pressure off their shoulders. In all honesty, having a good team to stand by you increases your confidence when kicking. While you play for the team it backs up your personal score as well, but predominantly getting on with the team matters the most.
Any outstanding performances you recall?
In the recent tournament I remember having a discussion at the Chinese-taipei match. Their defense was strong so in the second half I had a small conversation with Pradeep, Fazil and Gayan to change tactics. This lead Fazil to score a try and I think it was a very smart decision. When I look back I recall my performances at Singer 7s in 2007 and in the Dubai the match vs Thailand where I scored 21 points in the latter, as special.
Who do you want to be remembered as?
I don’t think I am at a point where I am shaping my personality. I have not given it much thought as yet but everyone loves a humble personality. I’d prefer to be down to earth and help others whenever I get the opportunity to. Some don’t recognize me as a rugby player even today. So this gives me a chance to blend in with others and carry on a simple life.
What are your ambitions?
I want to keep up with my performance and make it next year as well. Considering a common ambition shared in the team it’s about performing in the top division.
Do you have lot of tension while playing a national match, especially when you make a mistake?
Yes I do. I think it’s shared among everyone to worry about how good you perform at a match. Speaking about faults, once I commit a mistake I don’t stress about it. I don’t look back at it while the play is going on. I always try to give my full effort into the game. Deep inside me I feel that not a single opportunity should be missed. So once I grab onto one I make sure I don’t let it go. Making a blunder of such a kind means I am not fit to play any longer.
Being recently married, how do you face family life along with the sport?
For me the family life has worked for the best. My mother is my number one fan. I am blessed with a wife who happens to be a huge rugby fan as well. With her around it’s like having a coach at the dinner table. My bothers in law are also rugby players and the whole family background including my sister in law’s support actually makes me focus on the sport even more. So I am optimistic that all of these will help me to thrive in the game. Family life cannot get any better than this I guess.
How has rugby shaped your personal life?
Rugby runs deep in my habits. It ranges from the smallest thing like being punctual to serious matters as taking care and sharing emotions in family life. That’s what we do as a team, take care and support each other.
Lastly where do you picture yourself today if you didn’t play rugby?
I was quite good academically. When I started playing rugby I was studying mathematics for A/L’s. However after 6 months I had to change the stream to focus on my game. I am not sure personality wise whether I would have achieved this far without rugby but I am confident I might have given my best to studies.
ThePapare.com thanks Rizah for his time and wishes him the very best.
