This is the only weekend in the Dialog Rugby Championship that we will see the top half of the Cup competition play the bottom half. It is pretty clear, that there is a tremendous gulf between the top three and the bottom three.
Navy are 6 points clear at the top, and there is little between Kandy and Havies, even though the former gained revenge for their first round loss last week.
As foreign resources go as well, these teams have undoubtedly the best recruits. Setefano Cakau has been a try machine, and Alisi Tupuali has made Navy untouchable in the second round. Add to that mix the likes of Joeli Lutumailagi who can destroy any tired defence and Navy are pretty unstoppable. While Havies have tried hard their foreign recruits are steadier and more technical, without having the explosiveness of the Navy lads. Kandy too had a good mix with the power and pace of David Halaifonua and the immense work rate of Andrew Porter, whom they lost to a hamstring injury. If these two played together more, Kandy may have more to show for their trouble, but they are now paying for their early season form.
The foreigners have also helped the local players raise their game. Nuwan Hettiarachchi, the Navy full back has looked terrific at the back for his team, and his long range counter attacking and 60m kicking range make him almost a shoo in. Namal Rajapaksha’s leadership qualities have stood out in a season where local players have almost refused to take any leadership responsibility. In the Navy v CR game he realised that his first throw to his brother Chichi at no. 4 maybe a difficult ball early on, and then immediately switched to using the immense Kalana Amarasinghe at no. 2. This sort of tactical nous is not present in a lot of players who are nevertheless pretty experienced. For instance CR&FC have kept trying to win line outs at 6 and conceded numerous crooked throws. This sort of on field leadership is important, as is referee management, especially in the international arena.
Navy v Upcountry
After a narrow win against Army last week, the Lions will need to travel down to sea level to confront a Navy side who nearly 120 points in their last two Cup games. While the opposition has had some quality, Navy has torpedoed them, clearly lifting their game from the first round of matches.
Although Tupuailai started at no.8 in the last game, I feel that Navy is more dangerous with Hassen at 8 and the two foreigners in midfield. Jason Dissanayake is coming along nicely on the wing and maybe in line for national selection if Dhabare is not fully fit. Kalana Amarasinghe’s return to the second row helps their set piece no end, and with Hassen probably reunited with the national pairing of Yoshitha Rajapaksha and Dhanushka Perera, it might be a long afternoon for Upcountry in Welisara.
Srinath Sooriyabandara has been waging a lone battle for the Lions from fly half. In time to come Sri Lanka may even look at him as a permanent option there with Fazil moving outside him. Nigel Ratwatte and Kanchana Ramanayake have been the other consistent performers in the team, but they lack the quality ball which their forwards have not been able to provide them. It should be an easy win for the table leaders.
Army v Havies
Havelocks are due to travel to the Army fortress of Diyagama this week. After their disappointing loss against Kandy last week, the Park Club boys will be licking their wounds. Despite competing for most of the first round, they have gone off the boil in the second round, seemingly unable to fix the issues that prevent them from clicking.
They have probably the most well drilled forward pack at the moment, and if they keep the ball upfront and are patient, they should be able to inflict Army’s second loss at home this season. Army’s tremendous line speed and willingness to put their bodies on the line might just stifle Niroshan Fernando’s back line, but if the Sri Lanka fly half kicks well, both Sandun Herath and Chamara Dhabare will have ball to run onto.
It should however, be a close game and Army will once again be gunning for one bonus point at the least, if not two.
Kandy v CR
The first round clash between these two sides showed Kandy’s counter attacking capability. If CR loose the ball with the same regularity that they did against Navy, by getting isolated at the breakdown, they will be punished. Kandy are suddenly confident again, after a mid season dip in form, and were back to their best against Havelocks last week.
The only option CR have to remain competitive in this game is to try and starve the Kandy backs of ball. The Red Shirts scrum has disintegrated after being fairly strong all season, and their line out is patchy at best. Nevertheless, with the loss of Porter, Kandy have only Dinesh Sanjeeva as a realistic option, as Randika Alwis is still very raw. Good contesting from CR will put pressure on Damith Dissanayake. However, spurred on by the baying terraces in Kandy, it is very likely that Kandy will be able to withstand any pressure.
This fixture has lost a little of its lustre, now that the two teams are no longer first and second place in the league, but the traditional rivalry still exists. CR will be smarting at the memory of the record 80 point thrashing at the same venue last year, and will be looking to make amends on a ground that coach Laga won many a game for the opposition. His familiarity with the Kandy team playmakers should help preparations, but with the likes of new boys Lavanga Perera and Anurudhdha Wilwara on song, and David Halaifonua’s intelligent and devastating running from no. 13, CR’s defence will have its work cut out.
