The opening week of the Dialog Rugby League kicked off in exhilarating fashion last weekend with four crunch matches worked off in the country’s capital.
For the first time in three years, players of overseas origin made it to Lankan soil with the national body, Sri Lanka Rugby(SLR) making provision for the lower tier clubs.
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According to the rulebook prescribed by SLR, a maximum of one player can be declared in the matchday 23 by a club. The bottom four; Police, CR & FC, Army and Air Force used the rule to good use last weekend as ThePapare takes a look at the foreign players who will set to ignite the league.
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- Emosi Vunivosa – Police
The 22-year-old Fiji under 20 represent had the best weekend starting for Cops. Having had a stint in Australia, Vunivosa started at inside-centre against league runners-up Navy SC.
Playing at Police Park, Vunivosa was at the forefront in Police’s attack, giving a rude shock to the Sailors’ unfortunately losing by a single point at full-time.
Points Table – Dialog Rugby League | ThePapare Stats Centre
Vunivosa created two opportunities for the side in the 80 minutes that he played and that also earned him ThePapare Player of the Match.
2.Joseph Fuimaono – CR & FC
With three days to go for the league, the Red Shirts’ had an interesting addition in their third row with the addition of the former Samoan ‘A’ represent Joseph Fuimanono. The 22-year-old started as a third-row forward for the side and had a dream start in the game scoring the first try.
However, the big-built flanker failed to continue his momentum, gifting possession at several occasions. CR & FC will be hoping that he will rectify the errors when the team plays Navy in the coming weekend.
3.Savenaca Qelo Ualuvu – Army SC
The big burly Fiji Number 8’s debut for Army will be a match that he will want to forget. Playing at the back of the scrum, Ualuvu had a disappointing game with few carries and losing the ball on many occasions.
The addition of Ualuvu can make Army be one of the best forwards combinations in the league if the 23-year-old gets himself accustomed to the playing rhythm. On many occasions he was found guilty of trying to do too many things and that cost him and the team.
Leaderboard – ThePapare Stats Centre:
Maybe Army would want to try out their second overseas option Sosiveta Rura Boila who is a midfield player who had played in the Fiji Military.
3,Raduva Kausoo Saumaki – Air Force SC
The last place finishers from the league last year have brought in Fiji national Raduva Saumaki to strengthen their forwards. Saumaki made an immediate impact in the game when he came out against Kandy. The game Kandy won by a meagre with full-time scores reading 28-19.
Lot will be expected from Air Force and especially the Saumaki when they take on the bigger names in the Dialog Rugby League in the coming weeks.
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