Looking ahead at the final week of the 1st round of matches in the Dialog Rugby A Division League, it is very easy to think that Navy has this title in the bag. However, we are only midway through the season and the next round of games could spring a few surprises.
Hampered by the Sharks no result, and a difficult travel away to Welisara, defending champions Havelocks were unable to make a dent in Navy’s unbeaten run. However, when the dust settled it was not the Havies, but Kandy that were sitting pretty in second place with the next round looming.
This makes Havelocks v Kandy under lights this week all the more important!
Navy v Sharks
This is the final match for the unbeaten Navy team, and the Hambanthota Sharks will not be able to challenge their supremacy. Especially not at Welisara.
However, Navy will have to worry about the fact that they will have to play Havelocks away from home in the next round, as they will with Army. Nevertheless, with the high calibre international stars like Setefano Cakau and Japan international Alisi Tupuailai in their ranks, the second round will also be something Navy are raring to go for.
Havelocks v Kandy
Kandy travel down to Havelocks needing to cement their second place. Both teams are on one loss each, and a win or a draw will put clear daylight between Kandy and Havelocks. For the home team however, they need nothing short of a win.
On current form though Kandy look the favourites. With Navy unleashing their high profile Tupuailai on them last week, Havies will be looking to do some of their own unleashing with Hale T Pole rumoured to be in the starting line up against Kandy. His back row battle with Andrew Porter, who is a very different player, will be interesting to watch.
The ball carrying ability of Hale T Pole will only be at its best if Havelocks can secure quick ball. Currently it seems that they might not have as much quality ball in open play. Even though the Havelocks scrum is probably the best one going around at the moment, Roshan Weeraratne’s immense defensive bravery at the base may nullify that threat as well.
Kandy will look to exploit Dabare’s absence on one wing and run David Halaifonua into Havelocks’s week 13/14 channel. Anuruddha Wilwara has developed a good understanding with the big man, so look for the game to be decided one way or the other by a bit of Tongan magic.
I’m not going to call it. But if someone kept a gun to my head, I’ll probably say Kandy, if they get their tactics right.
Lions v CH
The UCL team will host CH who did well to come close to Police at the last time of asking. Once again though, the Lions will look to claim the bonus point over the hapless bottom placed side.
A win with a bonus will put UCL at fourth place on the table and that is something they are desperate to achieve. CH have been very average all season, but with nothing to lose, they might put up a decent performance.
CR v Police
This game has potential upset written all over it. CR were average last week against Air Force, and since the high of Navy, their performances have been at somewhat of a decline.
Police on the other hand have been improving and their new foreign recruits are going great guns with ball in hand. The latest centre they have recruited is a beast, and doesn’t bother about cutting through defences when all he can just barge through them.
CR’s midfield defence has improved since the first couple of weeks, but it will be sorely tested by a Police team looking desperately for a win to propel them into the top 6. CR are currently fourth and know that they need to hang on to that position to be in the second round with a fighting chance.
Army v Air Force
Army will host Air Force at Diyagama and this could also be a very very close game. The Air Force defence was incredible last week, and the two teams are of similar stature.
Army’s foreign players and home ground advantage will give them an obvious edge, but look for the Airmen to really take this game to the wire. They show confidence and do not back down from a physical confrontation. This should test Army upfront, and we’ll definitely seem some fireworks in this game.
