The Decider – Kandy v Navy

It is always difficult to beat Kandy S.C at Nittawela but winning with a bonus point or not conceding a losing bonus point is really a tough task for the defending champions Navy S.C

Kandy denied Navy’s unbeaten run since last year, in the first round at Welisara with 16 – 06 win. Now the defending champions have a mammoth task to defend the title.

The current points table

Navy has to beat Kandy so that they will get 5 points and top the table with 68 points however, that does not guarantee them the title. If Kandy scores 4 tries or loses with a margin of 7 or lesser points to the Sailor’s final score Kandy will obtain a losing bonus point and equal with Navy’s 68 points. If Kandy’s points get equal with Navy then Kandy will be the champions with the number of try difference.

Navy forwards v Kandy backs

Navy Forwards : The strength of the pack is key as they have tons of experience. 1 – 7 is a Tuskers unit. They scored plenty of tries through the driving maul from the lineout. If Dulanjana Wijesinghe’s throws don’t go straight, it means more pressure on the Sailors on Sunday.  Sajith Saranga who scored 5 tries and was in a fine form was unfortunately injured at the Borneo7s fortnight ago. Therefore, Dhanushka “Gertha”Perera will lead the team for the Sailors. Eramasai Navari played an outstanding game against CR&FC he was so menacing with his run and it will be interesting to see whether he can take on the South African Christopher Cloete in the opposite flank.

Navy  backs : Srinath Sooriyabandara at scrum half did not play a lot this season due to injury. He is fit and he needs 110% if navy want to defend the title as he will be the main decision maker on the field. Chanaka Chandimal at fly had a reasonable start but he could not perform under pressure against the Havelock’s and as a result coach Leonard De Zilva took him off in 30 minutes of play. Joeli Lutumalagi at center pairing with Lee Keegal will look for a more running game. The wing duo Dinusha Chathuranga and Chamara Dabare will take on two of the toughest and most in-form wingers in the opposite side, Anurudda Wilwara and Lavanga Perera. Nuwan Hettiarachi is back in form and his kicks to points and territory will be the number one concern for the Sailors.

Kandy Forwards: Kandy forwards are not too bad although their backs have more experience. Cloete the current joint highest try scorer with 14 tries along with Apisai Naqaliva of Police. A flanker scoring that number of tries is a remarkable achievement. Sean Wijesinghe needs no introduction his leadership perhaps will find a way to stop the visitors moving. Experience tanker Kishore Jehan ‘Chilaw’ who had most starts in the second half is now in the starting XV which is a vital move by the coach Johan Taylor.

Kandy backs : Roshan Weerarathne and Fazil Marija have played together for a long time, and the duo’s understanding of the game management and decision making is better than any other team. Koto Pongi at center is a gigantic threat to his opposite number Joeli Lutumailagi. Pongi will be paired by Richard Dharmapala who only played 3 matches so far in the season and scored two tries.  Wilwara and  Perera have showed  great improvement, both have scored 15 tries between them. Kandy lost against Army in the first round, due to Wilwara not receiving too many balls and also the game against Havelock’s last week he only had a one attacking run in the entire game. The more the wingers attack with the ball in hand, the more that Kandy can score tries. Nigel Ratwatte is fully fit from his injury he was on the bench against Havelock’s, coach Johan Taylor decided not to play him but rest him for the decider. Oscar Ouma the Kenyan star will also add spark whenever he is on the field.

3 Things Navy should not do :

Ø  Conceding a penalty in the red zone

Whenever, Kandy gets a penalty in the opposite 22m Christopher Cloete is like a flash to take a quick tap and run. Whenever, he runs Koto Pongi is always in support as a result a try is dead sure. Even if it did not come as a try at least 5 defenders will have to take on Pongi and Cloete as a result opening  space  out wide.

Ø  Allowing Fazil Marija to break the line

Marija is a master, if he breaks the line means either he will score by himself or he will have too many options in support Cloete and Lavanga from his left and Pongi and Richard on his right.

Ø  Sharo Fernando not to get a card

Sharo Fernando is certainly a talented player, but he needs to be a bit more disciplined and not to get a card from the referee. Sharo already got a red card against Air Force and a yellow against CR&FC in the second round.

3 Things Kandy should not do :

Ø  Collapsing the driving maul

Navy will play for their strength which is through their forwards and Nuwan Hettiarachi will take his long kicks to touch. Collapsing the driving maul could end up in a penalty try.

Ø  Sooriyabandara escaping from the ruck

Soori is known as sevens sensation but in the XV’s format he can control the game and his ability to step and run from the ruck is quite unstoppable. End result would be a try or 30-40m gain.

Ø  Too many off-side play

Nuwan Hettiarachi is capable of kicking 60m goals. Kandy conceding off-sides between the 50m and 10m line will test his boots.

Watch out for :

Ø  Roshan Weerarathne’s box kick – Roshan has pure skills with his box kick in terms of gaining territory and putting the opposite wingers in trouble.

Ø  Damith(Kandy) and Dulanjana’s(Navy) lineout throw – not a single hooker produced a consistence lineout throw, it is appalling to watch throughout the season. Perhaps both the hookers should play a bit of ‘angry birds’ 5 minutes prior to the warm-ups and get the hand eye co-ordination sorted.

Probable Starting XV

Navy : Achala Perera, Dulanjana Wijesinghe, Henry Terrance, Suhiru Anthony, Sathya Ranathunga, Danushka Perera (C), Sharo Fernando, Eramasi Navari, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Dinusha Chathuranga, Chanaka Chandimal, Joeli Lutumailagi, Lee Keegal, Chamara Dabare, Nuwan Hettiarachi

Kandy : Piumal Manchanayake, Damith Dissanayaka, Kishore Jehan, Gayan Rathnayaka, Sean Wijesinghe, Tharindu Chathuranga, Christopher Cloete, Buwanaka Udangamuwa, Roshan Weerarathne, Anurudda Wilwara, Fazil Marija, Koto Pongi, Richard Dharmapala, Lavanga Perera, Nigel Ratwatte