Sri Lanka Tuskers prepare ahead of the second leg of Asian 7’s series in Malaysia this weekend. In the first leg the Tuskers finished fourth in the tournament where host Hong Kong won the first leg thrashing Korea in the finals 40 points to nil.
Sevens sensation Srinath Sooriyabandara (Soori) is back as he is recovered from his injury where he missed the first leg fortnight ago. Soori has received accolades as the Asian“Serevi“ for his excruciating sevens skills and knowledge with his fast running and side steps which have become a thread to any opposition. In fact he became the player of the Carlton Super 7s last month.
In addition to this Fiji born Waqaulagi Emori is set to debut his 7’s stint for the Tuskers after playing in the XV’s against the Philippines in the Asian 5 nations in Colombo. Yoshitha Rajapaksa is also back in the side as a result these three changes will provide a bit more strength in depth for Marija’s men.
Waqaulagi Emori engaging in a practice session
Anurudda Wilwara on the other hand has had an extraordinary run this season continuing his Mercantile 7s, Carlton 7s form into the Asian 7s. In Hong Kong he was the second highest try scorer with 07 tries to his name behind the hosts Tom McQueen’s 12 tries.
Winger Sandun Herath is set to miss the second leg due to an injury along with Richard Darmapala who is down with fever. Young Hirantha Perera will miss the second leg after being debutant in the first leg in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, the Tuskers are drawn in pool B along with China and Kazakhstan. By the looks of it yet another cup quarter finals for the boys is on the cards as they look a much better team than the pool B opposition. Moreover, Sri Lanka won against China 17 – 05 in the first leg.
The highlight of the first leg was that Korea stunned the current No.1 in Asian side Japan in the cup semifinals 28 – 21 before they went down to Hong Kong in the finals. As a result Japan could not make to the finals which they had been doing since 7s series inception in 2011.
The Travelling Sri Lanka Squad
Fazil Marija (c )
Srinath Sooriyabandara
Gayan Weerarathne
Nigel Ratwatte
Yoshitha Rajapaksa
Danushka Ranjan
Anurudda Wilwara
Shehan Pathirana
Dinusha Chathuranga
Sudarshana Muthuthantri
Waqaulagi Emori
Lavanga Perera
