As many as 27 overseas players are in action in the ongoing Dialog A division inter club League rugby tournament with the participation of ten clubs.
The majority of the players are from Fiji with some from Tonga while Samoan born New Zealanders and Kiwis make up the rest at a season that promises to be better than the 2012 League.
Defending League champions Havelock SC appear to be stronger with foreign players. They have contracted four Tongans including three current national players, full back Villiarmi Hakalo who played for the Park Club last year, coach cum player Number Eight Paula Kaho, flanker Daniel Faleyafa and centre Asia Havia who played for Japan at the recent Asian Five Nations.
Last year’s League runner up Kandy has a blend of New Zealanders in Andrew Michael Poter (Number Eight ), fly half Pelssio Fili and flanker Tongan Samisoni Fita Loloka along with countryman David Halaisoua.
Third seed Navy has the services of three Fijians including last year’s player Cacgunivaluy Stefano who is a former Fiji Sevens captain.
Fourth seeded Upcountry Lions once again have contracted two of their last year’s players, New Zealander and Number Eight Peniasi Tokakeci and Tongan fly half Taveti Taufui. They also have the services of Fijian third row forward Joketani Raikabula and New Zealander Pera Gibbes.
Last year’s Plate champions Army have the services of two Fijians and a Tongan. They have also enlisted a centre from the Fijian Army team Lalai and Number Eight Osea Matalolo who played for Navy and a Tongan Kawa who played in the Australian League.
Police Sports Club who were ranked number six last year have the services of one Samoan, Makapelu Lapana and three Fijians including centre Roko Raikabula who played for them last year. He also played for the Western Warriors at the recently held Carlton Sevens.
Meanwhile seventh seed Air Force is the only club without foreign players. But despite the absence of foreigners they do not see it as a setback and in their last match against the fancied Upcountry Lions the Airmen almost turned tables before going down 26-36 after leading 10-8 at half time.
The Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club (CR and FC) who finished eighth in last year’s tournament have three Samons, number 8 Nissan Atui who played for Havelocks last year, centre Lafaele Vaa and number 8 Tita Semeane.
CH who finished at the bottom of the table at last year’s League, possess two Fijians while new comers to the tournament Hambantota Sharks have enlisted three Samoans, coach cum player Uale Mai who can play as scrum half and fly half, centre Roma and number 8 Failalaga.
Analysts forecast that unlike last year where a winner could have been predicted, the current League which is still in its infancy will be open until the final try is scored or goal is kicked as such is the rivalry with the huge influx of foreigners. The learning curve for the new boys who play along side these professionals is also seen as another huge benefit of playing these foreigners.
Defending champions Havelocks will find it hard to hold their position which they redeemed after 31 years last year. They suffered a blow when arch and traditional rival CR and FC signed up their last year’s playmaker and number 8 Nissan Atui who turned many matches in favour of the Park Club.
In contrast, CR which some experts took pleasure in writing-off even before the new season began, look to be on course to regain some pride and with Nissan’s entry they are assured of better times according to experts.
Above all, the foreign players at Navy and Army will come under intense scrutiny. Army’s foreign players face an uphill task of carrying the team forward as they seek to revitalize their image which took a beating last year when they were deprived of winning their match against the Upcountry Lions over some refereeing blunders where two tries were not awarded. With the season a long way to go, Army’s foreigners will be the dark horses on a rough course.
Navy’s foreigners on the other hand will have much to prove this year after failing to take the side to the top unable to beat the best two teams Havelocks and Kandy.
This year better equipped and better organized, Navy will have only themselves to blame if the League title were to elude them with three top class Fijians in the team including national Sevens captain Stefano.
Experts however warn that the presence of foreigners in the club ranks also causes a make or break situation as millions of rupees have been invested in what has become the country’s most witnessed sport domestically.
