Asian 5 nations (A5N) 2014 thus far has showcased a tremendous display to the world of rugby. Sri Lanka who lost to Korea 59 – 03 and Hong Kong 41 – 10 will take on Japan tomorrow at 2.30 p.m SL time with the final match to be played on 17th May @ racecourse grounds against Philippines.
World Rank 13, Asian #1 Japan rugby are favorites once again to lift the A5Nations 2014 and will have an automatic place in the Rugby World Cup 2015 in England. Japan has been the only Asian country to play a world cup since its inauguration in 1987. Last year, on June 15th the Brave Blossoms created a historic win against Welsh rugby beating them 23 – 08.
Last week in the A5Nations Japan played their first match against the Volcanoes and won comfortably with 99 – 10 points. The win – Japan’s 25th straight bonus-point victory in the Asian 5 Nations came on the back of 15 tries and 12 conversions, though they had to come from behind having given an intercept try in the fifth minute to trail 10-7. Japan is set to play their second match tomorrow with Sri Lanka in Tokyo.
Captain Namal Rajapaksa stated to ThePapare.com that he will take a young side to gain experience especially against Japan who are technically and tactically so good. He further mentioned that “we want to keep them as low as we can” and we are looking at 2019 World cup how we could take it from here”. A performance like that of the second half against Hong Kong would make an impact to stop the Japanese scoring.
Coach Leonard De Zilwa said prior for the A5N that there will be so many changes in to the side rotating players which is the right thing, if we are winning the games you don’t have to do many changes but since you are still not in the capacity of winning against the Asian top 3, it is always good to give the players opportunity to get some exposure and work on their strength and weaknesses.
Sri Lanka team : Eranga Swarnathilake, Namal Rajapaksa (Captain), Dimitri Shehan, Dushmantha Priyadarshna, Hasitha Perera, Shehan Pathirana, Dinesh Sanjeewa, Yoshitha Rjapaksa, Danushka Perera, Bilal Hassen, Roshan Weerarathna, Fazil Marijah, Niroshan Fernando, Chanaka Chandimal, Sandun Herath, Dhanushka Ranjan, Dinusha Chathuranga, Chamara Dabare, Rizah Mubarak, Koshore Jehan, Asoka Jayala, Suranga Pushpakumara, Shasika Jayawardena, Lee Keegal, Sudarshana Muthuthantri
Japan team : Masataka MIKAMI, Takeshi Kizu, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Hitoshi Ono, Shinya Malabe, Hendrik Tui, Michael Leitch (Captain), Ryu Koliniasi Holani, Atsushi Hiwasa, Yu Tamura, Yoshikazu Fujita, Yasuki Hayashi, Daishi Murata, Akihito Yamada, Ayumu Goromaru, Yusuke Nagae, Hiroki Yuhara, Hiroshi Yamashita, Shoji Ito, Takashi Kikutani, Kyosuke Horie, Keisuke Uchida, Kotaro Matshushima
