With the 2nd Round of the DRL 2018/19 just a day away, CH & FC have yet again stolen the spotlight after confirming that Adam Gauder, an Australian University Rugby Player with Sri Lankan origins, will represent the Gymkhana club from this week onwards.
Gauder plays for the Bond University Rugby team, which belongs to the Queensland Rugby Union, which is the only Gold Coast based club competing in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition. Gauder has also previously donned the Tokyo Gas jersey in the Australian ‘Footy’ League.
The 23-year-old is born to a Sri Lankan father and Australian mother – hence, technically his signing with CH is not against the rules. However, recalling a similar incident in 2016 when former U19 Wallaby loose forward, Rowan Perry, was signed by CR & FC, a few clubs protested the stance by the governing body.
Nevertheless, Perry was deemed eligible to play for the Maitland Place club as he was given the release from the Australian Rugby Union.
With Gauder cleared by Sri Lanka Rugby, the governing body, with the correct procedures met, the Aussie represent is set to debut in CH & FC colours this Sunday when they face Navy at home.
Gauder plays in the #12 position but often switches to the back of the scrum, to join in as the #8. That is where CH gets very lucky, since coach Ronnie Ibrahim is still looking for that perfect Centre combo and with Skipper Yoshitha Rajapakshe being ruled out injured, Gauder might be the missing piece in the CH & FC team.
Earlier Sri Lanka Rugby allowed the bottom four clubs to accommodate 1 overseas player in their respective teams, a move that was abolished by a court order owing to a petition filed by CH & FC.
The appeal for the decision is yet to be taken up.
Speaking to ThePapare.com, Gauder said “I’m excited to be playing in Sri Lanka and I look forward to finishing the season strong with CH”
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