The second weekend of the Dialog A Division rugby matches is almost upon us. Much of the uproar has centered around the ongoing battle between the SLRFU and SLSRFA about the conducting of the schools tournament.
One suspects there’s more to it than meets the eye, with the SLRFU’s adamant stance that they run the entire program.
There is a suspicion that this is more to do with control of a vast amount of sponsorship funding, rather than the genuine betterment of the game. Like in cricket on the international stage being dragged down by incompetent administration, rugby is also now becoming rife with political machinations. It’s really sad, considering the amount of talent in the schools that is prevented from developing due to this petty minded in-fighting, SL’s international rugby image will be destroyed.
But that’s another story altogether.
Upcountry v Army
This game presented us with the biggest upset of the first round. Given that it happened so early, a lot of people seem to have forgotten about it, but Army’s win against UCL was huge for them. Whether they can repeat the performance away from home is a question coach Ben McDougal will be asking himself.
The Lions have improved over the last few weeks, but last week’s thrashing by Kandy in which they scored only 11 points was not encouraging. This would not have escaped Army’s notice and they are likely to try and exploit the Lion’s defence out wide, considering their superior fitness. Both teams are on the back of two fairly large defeats and Saturday’s game will be a mental test more than anything else.
Coach Imthie Marikar has a lot more talent to call on than McDougal does, but talent alone can’t win you rugby games. This match will be won up front, and if the Lion’s forwards put in the sort of performance they did against Havelocks they will win. Otherwise, they won’t. Simple.
Navy v CR
The first round match between these two sides were marred by controversy. Aruna Rankothge, the man who was at the eye of the storm has since quit refereeing. There have been other developments too, with Alisi Tupuailai joining the Navy back division. The Japan international RWC centre proved to be the difference between Navy and Havelocks, and no doubt he will come into the limelight on Saturday.
In addition, the front row of Navy will be encouraged by the chaos Havelocks managed to cause to the CR scrum last week. Podi Swarnathileka has been playing some outstanding rugby all season, and his ball carrying together with the leadership of the Rajapakshas will be a bonus to Navy in addition to their home support.
CR, without Rizah Mubarak, who is out with illness, and will miss both games against his old team, need to ensure that they kick well against Navy. Their kicking game has been off in the last few matches and Nuwan Hettiarachchi has been counter attacking with aplomb. More importanly though, CR will need to stop Setefano Cakau in midfield. Lose that battle, and they lose the game.
It is no surprise that Navy and Havelocks are top of the league table as they have the best foreign recruits, and that maybe the difference between the two teams on Saturday.
Kandy v Havelocks
It seems only a few days ago that we saw this mouthwatering clash between two and three in the league. Now they meet again, except that Havelocks are now second and Kandy third. Having suffered two losses in the first round, the Kandy fans were up in arms, and Roshan Weeraratne knows his team can ill afford to lose at home.
Marija and Weeraratne himself, have returned to form for Kandy and this will bring a smile to new coach Adrian Ferris’ lips. If Andrew Porter is fit to play, then things will be different from the first leg. Similarly, reports say that Kandy’s forwards had a stormer against UCL and if they perform well upfront, their back division is certainly more fluent than Havelocks has been.
The defending champions have been very reliant on the try conjuring ability of their wingers Sandun Herath and Chamara Dhabare. They will need to rely on them once again as the Kandy boys will be sensing revenge. The match will be either very high scoring or very low scoring, and I doubt it will be anywhere in the middle. If Havelocks display the sort of form they did against CR last week, they will be taken apart in midfield, and punished. However, if they can make sure their passes go to hand, then Kandy will need to scramble.
The Perera twins are in scintillating form for Kandy, and together with Anuruddha Wilwara’s try scoring ability, it will be interesting to see how these two attack minded teams approach the game. Walpola’s return should steady the Havelocks line out, and that may make the difference. However, Kandy will be happy about the absence of Shenal Dias from the Havies set up, and there is no doubt they miss his presence in the loose and his ball winning ability.
Expect an entertaining encounter.
Plate
In the lower division of the championship, favourites Police entertain AF at Police Park. This should be a no quarter asked or giving sort of game, but the Police foreigners will probably hold sway against the gutsy Airmen.
Another close game should take place between the Sharks and CH, and once again it is difficult to see CH notching up their first win of the season, although it is as good a chance as any.
