Already losing to Korea 59 – 03 in the Asian 5 nations Top 5 opener at Seoul, Sri Lanka rugby is finding it hard to stay alive in the top flight. Hong Kong on the other hand thrashed the Philippines with three figures on the board 108 – 00 in their first match played on the 26th April.
Having the home advantage at race course grounds where the game is set to kick off under lights at 6.30 p.m on 3rd May, is expected to prove interesting. Hong Kong coach Leigh Jones who addressed the ARFU media stated that “Sri Lanka are a good physical side with dangerous backs, we will have to ensure that we handle the challenge they pose up front and try to deprive them of good possession. That will be one of the keys for us on Saturday,”
Leonard De Zilwa’s men must have learnt a lesson or two on areas to improve and video replay would have highlighted the threat of the opposition. Three Fijians have been added to the side for the first time to play for Sri Lanka and it will be intriguing to see their impact. It is felt that Sri Lankan rugby should have done this a few years ago. Centers Pisai Naqaliva and Joseph Dunn from Fiji will probably debut on Saturday evening along with Waqavulagi Emori who is the (full back/wing) which will add great impetus for the three quarter’s running play. This is done under the International Rugby Board (IRB) law under regulation 8:1-3 where it allows playing for foreigners if they have been in a country for 36 consecutive months or the parents or grandparents were born in the country.
Furthermore, a few changes are seen in the Sri Lankan line up with the home team’s finest and most experienced play maker Fazil Marija being inserted back in the XV. All eyes would be on him as to how his experience combines with the new centre pair. Dushanth Lewke the former captain and another experienced player who is expected to start as No 8. That will put the powerful Bilal Hassen to the bench. Suhiru Anthony and Shehan Dimitri should also make the start and the highest points scorer of the concluded Dialog league Nuwan Hettiarachi is expected to find his way to start as a wing or a full back.
Riza Mubarak and Chamara Dabare have been left out for this vital clash perhaps as they did not have the best of times in Korea. However, the Tuskers do have a strong bench, Namal Rajapksa and his forwards need to play their best attacking rugby against the mighty Hong Kong forwards who played a blinder against the Volcanoes last week. Most importantly it will be a test to watch how Hong Kong three quarters break the Fiji wall as was mentioned in South China newspapers.
Probable squad to play with Hong Kong
Props: Shehan Dimithri (Navy) and Terence Henry (Havelock)
Hooker: Namal Rajapaksa (C)(Navy)
Locks: Sharo Fernando (Havelock) and Suhiru Anthony (Navy)
Third row: Danushka Perera (Navy), Yoshitha Rajapaksa (Navy) and Dushanth Lewke (CR & FC)
Scrum Half: Roshan Weeraratne (Kandy)
Fly half: Fazil Marija (Kandy)
Centres: Apisai Naqaliva and Joseph Dunn (Fiji)
Wingers: Sandun Herath (Havelock) and Nuwan Hettiarachchi (Navy)
Full back: Waqavulagi Emori (Fiji)
Reserves- Heshan Kalhara, Bilal Hassan, Sudharshan Muththanthri, Hasith Perera, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Chanaka Chandimal, Dinusha Chathuranga and Lee Keegel.
