Rugby fever is back in the Island with the return of the Dialog Club Rugby League. Last season’s tournament captured the attention of the rugby community with it being one of the most open and exciting tournaments we have seen in a long time.
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However, it will be a much-changed Dialog Rugby League this time around. For the first time in 4 years, the bottom 4 clubs from last season go into the new season with the availability of overseas players.
There have also been changes of coaches at Air Force and Army, while CR has the recruitment of champion coach Nilfer Ibrahim.
The big clubs will be looking to close the gap on Kandy SC, after they ran away with the league for the 3rd consecutive time last season. But this time there will be a plenty of changes and there are a number of younger players who will be looking to make their mark.
Here are five of them:
1. Heshan Jansen – Kandy SC
At just 20 years old, Jansen had enough bad luck with injuries last season, but has already accomplished much in his career and even more can be expected in the new season. His constantly troubled shoulder kept him away from most of the season 2017/18.
The Kandy SC scrumhalf, made it back onto the field early this season against Bahrain FC and toured Dubai to face the Abu Dhabi Harlequins in both games which he started at his favored Scrum half position.
Jansen played for Kingswood College in 2017 and also toured with the Sri Lanka U20’s this year. He is a smooth, astute footballer with a wide skillset who will complement Roshan Weerarathne and Srinath Sooriyabandara, and can be a more than adequate replacement when required. We will see him take the available number 9 position in the absence of the usual big guns, who are currently under an injury cloud.
2. Janidu Dilshan – CR & FC
Raw, committed, uncompromising, unstoppable, smart.
These adjectives sum up the sensational CR & FC number 13 and center Janidu Dilshan. He is hungry on the ball, a characteristic not seen by most Sri Lankan number 13’s who would rather exploit space than barge through. A next generation prodigy in the making, he has plenty of International experience under his belt in the U20’s Asia seven series plus the Single CR cap. His ability at pressured situations and with the boot in finding touch plus the kick offs, at a pinch, makes him a valuable addition to any match-day squad. Janidu will definitely be a choice coach Nilfer Ibrahim will give game time to, now that he’s already played a full block buster game against CH.
3. Jehan Seelagama – Air Force SC
Jehan Seelagama is another young back who has developed swiftly in 2017/18.
Quick on his feet and safe in the air, the Air Force center went from strength to strength with performance, winning a start as the season 2017/18 progressed, and formed a tremendous combination with Soorya Krishan, who is still with the Airmen.
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Still 20, Seelagama will be first to put his hand up to start and deservingly so, having gained a brief taste of the Sri Lankan sevens, experiencing the environment with the national sevens team. After playing for a strong St. Anthony’s team in 2017, he made the sensible decision to make his way down to Air Force where he got decent game time.
He is equally adept in the midfield or on the wing and has impressed everyone with his maturity while playing in his known center position.
After a solid defensive effort in guarding Dhanushka Ranjan in the game against defending champions Kandy this week, he is well on his way to a season he’ll remember and one we look forward to.
4. Dinuk Amerasinghe – Havelock SC
The Sri Lanka national rep became a first-choice starter for the country early this year mainly due to his performances in the U-20 Asia Sevens series.
The 20-year-old went from a solid U-20 national grafter and fringe school player to a single Havelock start in the latter part of the last season and, in August the sheer delight of a promotion to the national seven’s team.
While much of his Havelocks season was played out from the bench as an impact player, his ability to also play on as a forward attracted the attention of the national selectors, who handed him the spot at sevens as a forward.
Read: Know your coaches – Dialog Rugby League 2018/19
However, he will switch to his favored center position for Havelock SC as he strengthens the midfield which was left empty after Hirantha Perera and Nishon Perera’s switch to Maitland Park. Amerasinghe mixes a high work-rate with ball-winning ability, barging runs, silky-offloads and a hard-nosed attitude. With plenty of international experience behind his back, he is now seen as a senior member of the Havelock team and is definitely one to watch out for in the season which will be a breakthrough.
5. Naveen Henakankanamage – CH & FC
One of the stand-out wingers in Sri Lanka seven’s, Naveen Henakankanamage has shown all his potential for Sri Lanka. Naveen’s blistering pace saw him cross the line for Sri Lanka U-20’s and the senior team on so many occasions while he proved a threat every time he was afforded space. The 20-year-old cuts quite a figure out wide at 5 11’ and 85kg and his inclusion in the CH & FC squad came as a surprise for many. His form however has been growing since his school years at S. Thomas’ College.
The 20-year-old has already had a fine 2018-19 campaign with the Sri Lanka Sevens, playing six tournaments, and then showing his wares for the country, clubs and mercantile teams and has also got himself a try in the new season of 2018/19 Dialog Club Rugby league.
Naveen’s pace and ability to evade tacklers with nifty footwork from the wings is clearly evident. He is also strong in the breakdowns and gifted with common sense. He will be able to add plenty, from either position, to a talented CH & FC back division.
These five players have started the Club season on a high note and will look to continue to take the league by surprise as it progresses!
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