Dialog Rugby League Preview: Week 2

After a disappointing loss last week the cops had loads of home work to be done. It will be interesting if they can swing the momentum to their camp. Sudath Sampath the coach know full well the threat he will receive from their Park club neighbors. Last year’s St. Peters captain Sandesh Jayawickrama and Wajid Fahmy of Zahira College had their club debut with Police. Playing a few more games will provide them a very good experience because the duo has been selected in the U19 Sri Lanka squad ahead of the Asiad next month.

WATCH LIVE: POLICE SC V HAVELOCK SC

Havelocks on the other hand took some time to gain confidence in their first game over the Sri Lanka Air force. Nonetheless, they have some experience among the forwards and Captain Dushmantha Priyadarshana is ready to marshal his troops.  Sharo Fernando and Prasath Madhusanka look in a good shape too. Havelocks backs also have some game changes, Dulaj Perera was good with the uprights, Hirantha Perera and Nishon Perera need some smooth hands to get any better in the center position.

Watch out for (Police): flanker Radeesha Senavirathne was brutal in the breakdown, using his lower center of gravity he was like a flash to contest in the tackle play. Center Mushin Faleel didn’t get a real opportunity show his firepower in the wet conditions last week.

Watch out for (Havelocks): Outside half Niroshan Fernado will need to control this game. His territorial kicks and the game management will play a big role. He was out for one year due to a knee injury and he just needs to shape up. Sharo Fernando can be a real weapon as Police did not have a good time in the lineouts last week. Sharo also scored a try showing his brutal strength also he knows the cops well as he was playing for them last season along with Chamara Dabare who is now wearing the pink shirt.

Defending champions Kandy SC cannot ask a better start to kick off the new season. Roshan Weerarathne’s men ran riot over the underdogs CH&FC to win 96 – 00. However, Air Force gave Kandy a fight in the first half last year  but having said that this time around with the Kandy firepower and X factor it will be insurmountable.

WATCH LIVE: AIR FORCE SC V KANDY SC

Watch out for (Kandy) : Danushka Ranjan has impressed the Kandy fans after scoring 4 tries in week one, and he will be a real threat for the forces. Arshad Jamaldeen scored 25 points in the first game with one try and 10 conversions. He seems to have worked well with his coach Nalaka Weerakkodi during the off season especially with his kicking at uprights.

Watch out for (Air Force): Full back Nuwan Perera who showed loads of positive signs last season and yet to make a mark this time. Ashok Wijekumar the Royal scrum half who is in the junior national team perhaps might get a start to infuse his talent.

CH players would never want to play their home game away, in addition to it, reaching Kandy at 2pm and play the game at 4pm is not professional. However, their fight must be applauded. CH camp also has some good talent to give a fight to Army SC. But the soldiers were savage in their first game. They must indeed be gutted with that one point defeat. Army looks a decent squad beating  Navy last year at Welisara.

Watch out for (CH&FC): Lakith Perera is an experienced winger and also a good finisher. Ball distribution is key for CH. Mohamed Rifkhan is also an experienced flanker who is capable of making a change in the team.

Watch out for (Army): Sudaraka Dikkumbura was outstanding last week alongside Imanka Ariyapala. Ariyapala is set to miss a few weeks after the injury which occurred last week. That will be a big omission.  Mohamed Rizvi showed great maturity at half back, so his decision makings will be the key for the soldiers.

Sailors played with so much patience in the weather affected first week. They look like a complete package this season. However, it is still early days to predict despite Navy showing how well they are drilled as a team.  Coach Mothilal Jayathilake is aware of his squad and the bench strength they have and now it’s all about well executing the weapon.

WATCH LIVE: NAVY SC V CR&FC

CR&FC on the other hand struggled in the first week. Although a few players were injured, the Reds have quality players but have not settled with the basics as yet. They played more latterly and out of position at times. Coach Ben MacDougall is sure to have done a lot training this week with the basics.

Watch out for (Navy) : Sathya Ranathunga was astounding in the Police game and was named as the player of the match. We will see him carrying the ball a lot, alongside Nivanka Prasad. Lee Keegel will be the main man to shake or break the opposite defense.

Watch out for (CR&FC) : Omalka Gunarathne who debuted club rugby last yea,r is set to play with his former club. He made a few yards latterly from the scrums last week and wewill see that battle again. Tarinda Ratwatte has to be the catalyst in managing the game if CR are to win. He played so well in the Asia 7s and it will be an interesting battle between him and his opposite no Chanaka Chandimal who is in a good form.