Current highest point’s scorer in the ongoing Dialog Rugby League, Havelock’s young and dynamic outside half Dulaj Perera shared his views on rugby and life exclusively with ThePapare.com.
Dulaj, with 109 points and two more games to go in the season is the leading point scorer so far. While Nuwan Hettiarachchi of Navy SC won the title last year for highest points, Rizah Mubarak (Navy) was on song with his kicking this season. However his 30 points against Sharks was taken off contention after the withdrawal of the Hambanthota club leaving Rizah with a tally of 92 points. His ankle injury has kept him out in the last two Navy games as well. This leaves Dulaj clearly in the reckoning.
Dulaj who went to St.Peters from Wesley College and excelled in his final phase of school rugby, led the Petes after Dhanushka Ranjan was injured in 2012. He started playing football at Wesley College and that kicking skill has been of immense value in his rugby career.
After becoming popular in the school arena, Dulaj was chosen to play for the Havelock SC. Unfortunately he had to stay out for a year with an ACL reconstruction surgery on his knee in 2013, where Havelock’s became the league champions. In fact he did not have a chance in 2013/14 season as Niroshan Fernando was there to start for the men in pink. Although Dulaj came from the bench he showed his capability on the pitch to win many hearts last season. However, due to Niroshan’s injury Dulaj made a tremendous start this season and has vastly enhanced his kicking skills.
The 6 foot tall weighing 82 kg fly half has debuted for the national 7s team last year. He made a stunning 70m try in the China 7s and impressed the selectors. Dulaj who is blessed with raw talent has grabbed the opportunity given to him and made the maximum out of it.
Although he has been the highest point scorer, he insists that he need to improve a lot in terms of decision making, place kicking and fitness on the field. He likes Jonny Wilkinson than Dan Carter but idolizes Sri Lanka’s no 1 fly half in the last decade Fazil Marija as his role model. Dulaj admits to training hard every day in practice coming early and putting much energy on individual training.
The young fly half stated he fancies playing 7’s but he wants to wear the Tuskers no10 shirt and to play in XV’s as it was his lifelong dream. He believes he is on the right track with the help of the club and the coaching staff and was in high praise of coach Glen Christini, assistant coach Rajeev Perera and school coach Sanath Matis.
Havelock’s almost silenced the crowd in Nittawela in the first round but the result was a 24-25 defeat. Nevertheless, it is expected that another clash of the titans will be witnessed under lights on March 7th when Havies host Kandy. This will also give Dulaj to face his role model on the opposite side, when ThePapare asked Dulaj about does he have a point to prove? “I will do my best, I hope I can get to his level one day, and also I want to thank and praise god for what I have achieved this year so far” said Dulaj Perera.
If Dulaj was not a rugby player he say he would have become a musician, he has hidden talents and his ability sing will also win many hearts.
ThePapare.com thanks Dulaj for his time and sharing his experience and we wish him all the very best with his aspirations.
