Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club clinched their maiden club rugby title recently and there were more than a few people who were behind that stunning performance to become the Sri Lanka’s undisputed Rugby champions. Six foot tall lanky full back, Nuwan Hettiarachchi can be singled out as one of the stalwarts in the Navy side.
He kicked into touch, he bisected the posts from a 50 meters distance, he joined the line to give the extra over lap and he scored tries more importantly to become the highest points scorer of the Dialog Club Rugby League 2013/14 and carry away the award the end of league presentation.
Left foot place kickers are rare in the world rugby. England’s Johnny Wilkinson is a name which comes to every rugby devotee’s mind when it comes to left foot place kicking in the recent past. while world’s highest point’s scorer and Navy SC’s full back and place kicker Nuwan Hettiarachchi’s favorite rugby player Dan Carter comes from the same style of playing.
Nuwan Hettiarachchi started his rugby career journey way back in 2002 at Dharmaraja College when he was only a 13 year old teenage boy with a dream to represent his alma mater and his country one day at the highest level. Nuwan Hettiarachchi excelled both in Rugby and Football which was the stepping stone to be an impulsive three quarter. “I started my career in 2002 playing in the under 13 category and I was very fond of place kicking since the alpha days of my Rugby career.” Nuwan Hettiarachchi explained the start of his Rugby life to ThePapare.com.
Nuwan’s school rugby career was phenomenal which caught the eyes of the national selectors of that time as he got the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka Schools team in 2006 and 2007 which gave the kick start boost to his professional rugby career. “Representing my country at a tender age of 17,18 was the turning point in my rugby career as I got the needed foreign exposure before I step into the Club rugby circle.“
Every sportsman needs an inspiration to be successful. Nuwan Hettiarachchi found his inspiration and motivation from his family. “My father and mother were behind me from the start of my rugby journey and they gave me all the help they could give and I’ll be always thankful to them. Presently my girl friend motivates me the most to be successful. “ Nuwan expressed his gratitude towards his loved ones who oil the wheels of his rugby journey.
Nuwan ‘Hetti’ played his maiden club rugby season at Havelock SC in 2008 where he played as a wing three quarter. Nuwan Hettiarachchi is renowned to be a superlative utility back as well as a trusted place kicker. Nuwan enjoyed his debut club season venture at Havelock SC as he got the golden ticket to represent Sri Lanka 7s team in 2009. “My dream became a reality when I was chosen to play for my country in the Chennai 7s tournament in 2009. “ Nuwan expressed his joy after being selected to represent Sri Lanka for the first time.
Nuwan Hettiarachchi made headlines for the first time in 2010 when he played a major role as a wing three quarter representing Sri Lanka 15s team in the Asian Five Nations division 1 series giving a remarkable victory to Sri Lanka which incidentally was the foundation stone to Sri Lanka’s rapid growth in Asian rugby circle.
Nuwan Hettiarachchi shined as a perfect back line three quarter in 2011 when he became the 2nd highest point’s scorer for Sri Lanka in the Asian Five Nations and his try against Japan was another remarkable achievement. “We could not win any game though we played our hearts out yet we ended up in the losing side. I became the second highest point’s scorer for Sri Lanka in that competition and it gave me the much needed of self confidence to be a prominent figure in Sri Lanka rugby squads. “
Nuwan Hettiarachchi’s minor setback in his career was a forgettable 2012/13 season where he had a controversial year at Kandy SC which resulted in losing his place as a Tusker. Nuwan Hettiarachchi came back into the limelight with the recently concluded 2013/14 Dialog Club Rugby League representing the champion Navy SC team and kicking his team to a memorable unbeaten championship win under the leadership of Rohitha Rajapakshe. “My two coaches in Navy and Three Rajapakshe brothers (Namal, Yoshitha and Rohitha) gave me all the confidence and they believed in me and I wanted to repay that faith by doing my very best to the team and I believe I did that as we won the league title. “
Every rugby player has a strong set of disciplines when it comes to their training schedule. Nuwan Hettiarachchi discussed how he would train and spend a busy day during the season. “I used to work at Nation Lanka PLC but now I work at MAS Holdings but during the season I do not go to work. I wake up early morning and go to the gym and after a productive gym session I take a rest till evening practices. I go to practices an hour before and do my kicking practices before the full squad start the daily practice workouts. I believe those hours of place kicking paid off at the end as our team goal was to win the league title this year before the season even started and I knew my part was to give my very best converting those penalties and conversions. “
Rugby has certainly stepped into the fourth gear in Sri Lanka and many players have taken up the sport professionally and Nuwan Hettiarachchi responded positively on the current state on the sport of Rugby in Sri Lanka. “ Those days Rugby players had financial problems but not now due to tournaments like Carlton Sevens and Serendib Cup. Now even a schoolboy can play Rugby without any fear of the future as they have many opportunities to make a living out of Rugby in Sri Lanka. “
Nuwan Hettiarachchi will certainly be a big asset to the Sri Lanka 15s and 7s team in the upcoming major international tournaments and he made his intentions clear about the near future. “ We have a very good set of players and I’m pretty sure we can do well in the upcoming Asian Five Nations tournament. “
Nuwan Hettiarachchi has already made plans for the future as a player of ‘Hetti’s caliber can well contribute to Sri Lanka Rugby for many more years before hanging his boots. “ I want to play for my country as long as possible because it was and it will always be my dream to put on that ‘Tusker’ jersey and run into the field and do my very best. “
ThePapare.com questioned Nuwan Hettiarachchi’s desires beyond rugby. “ I want to get married and look after my parents and spend a peaceful life. I would take up a coaching role after I stop my rugby career. “
Nuwan Hettiarachchi used his left boot to kick Navy SC to their maiden club rugby league title and the Rugby enthusiasts in Sri Lanka will be hoping he would do the same for Sri Lanka in the near future as Sri Lanka is in a quest of conquering rugby in Asia and maybe the World for sure as Sri Lanka possess the natural talent.
ThePapare.com would like to thank Nuwan Hettiarachchi for spending his valuable time with us and would wish all the very best in his future endeavors.
