ThePapare.com reporting from Hong Kong
The four scrumhalf options in the Sri Lanka Under 20 squad is an added advantage for the side, Head coach Nilfer Ibrahim said exclusively to ThePapare.com as the team completed their final practice session ahead of the Asia U20 Sevens Series that is set to commence tomorrow.
“In many teams you don’t find half backs who can play at any given position. In our team we have three players who can play together at any given time”
The 12-member squad that was shortlisted has the likes of Avishka Lee, who was the starting scrum half for CH & FC last season and is a second year represent in the Sri Lanka U20’s. The Kandy Sports Club half back Heshan Jansen is the other option in addition to the Isipathana & CR & FC’s Harith Bandara and fresher, Josephian Keshan Kavinda.
“Harith can play scrum half and fly half. Jansen can play both scrum half and flyhalf. Lee (Avishka) can play scrumhalf, flyhalf and centre. As a coach having myself played as a scrumhalf, it is a privilege.”
The trio will play a crucial role alongside the experienced campaigners Dinuk Amerasinghe and Naveen Henakankanamage who were a part of last year’s runners-up team in the tournament.
“We look to play our first game properly and then later build the rhythm around it so that we can look ahead” added Ibrahim further on the team’s intentions for the upcoming tournament.
Ibrahim is assisted by the former national 7’s and 15’s captain Fazil Marija who is on his first assignment as coach for a national team and will look to share his experience with the juniors.
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