Let’s take a closer look at the Isipathana College Rugby team competing in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024.
History
Isipathana College, also known as the Green Machine, is always a prominent part of the conversation when we talk about school Rugby in Sri Lanka. As one of the most consistent sides in the last 10 editions of the Schools Rugby League, they have won 4 titles, which is only second to Royal College who have won 5.
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Last year, they had a scintillating first round where they collected bonus point wins in all 6 games. However, they were unable to get the job done in the Super Round as the Green Machine lost to both Royal College and the eventual title winners – St. Peter’s College.
From 2010 to 2020, Isipathana College won the coveted league title thrice – first in 2012, then in 2014, and finally in 2016. Kumendra Dharmadasa, Senal Deelaka, and Kushan Indunil were the respective Skippers of those seasons for the Green Machine. The last time they won the league title was just 2 years ago in 2022, under the leadership of Dahan Nithina, where they ended up as the Unbeaten league champions, followed by the Knockout championship.
Current Outfit
This year’s squad of Isipathana College consists of around 6 third-year players, where 2 are from the backs and 4 are from the forwards. As always, they possess a very strong and fast backline that can create havoc against any side on their day. As for the forwards – even though they might not be able to match up with some of the other top sides, they cannot be ever written off.
Players to Watch out for
The powerhouse number 8 for Isipathana College – Nisaja Jayaweera – has been given the responsibility to lead the boys in green this year. He can nullify the opposition defenders from a close proximity to the whitewash.
The Vice Captain for Isipathana College is the highly skilled Shaahid Zumri, who had a golden run in the Sevens Rugby scene last year when he won the Player of the Tournament award in both Under 18 and All Island Elite Sevens Championships. They have made an interesting move this year as well to make Zumri the Fly Half, as he is someone who knows his way very well being the key playmaker.
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Another key player for Isipathana this season will be Kalindu Silva. He will mainly play as the Scrum Half, but you will occasionally see him go to the back and be that reliable full-back. He is a nippy customer who will attempt to run from anywhere in the field.
Gesandu Benthotage is a name that we might hear a lot this year, as the young Wing Three Quarter has the potential to be the ideal replacement for Rinesh Silva.
Other seasoned players like Kenula Mihisara, Kaveen Tharusha, Lasitha Nilupul, and Dinada Thinul, along with the rest of the youngsters, would want to leave a mark this season.
Coaches
Former Sri Lanka Cap Saliya Kumara will walk into his 3rd year as the Head Coach of Isipathana College with the same supporting staff of Assistant Coach Danushka Botheju, Trainer Hashan Gomes and Physio Shafin Majid. The men in charge of these youngsters will want to repeat the heroics of their first year together and go all the way to clinch the title.
Expectations for the Season
It’s a no-brainer when it comes to the expectations of the Isipathana team and their fans – there is no doubt they will want to end this season as the champions for the 14th time in their history. Isipathana College will want to better their performance from last year, when they finished taking the 3rd place.
It will be a hard task for them to replicate a first round like last year, when they registered all the possible points. However, even without the picture-perfect number of points, they will be hoping to add the perfect finishing touch which they failed to get in order last year.
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The Green Machine will travel to Kandy just once this year as they will play the rest of the 6 games in Colombo, with 4 of them taking place at their home venue Havelock Park.
Making sure they don’t get ahead of themselves and winning the crunch moments in high-stakes games are the key factors for Isipathana College this season. Can Isipathana College go all the way and add another trophy to its cabinet? Only time will tell!
Full Squad
Forwards – Nisaja Jayaweera (Captain), Kaveen Tharusha, Kenula Mihisara, Lasitha Nilupul, Tehan Ranaweera, Sethum Rajapaksha, Thrinethra Dodangoda, Abdul Ahamed, Shaakib Zumri, Kaveen Irosh, Lahiru Sandeepa, Nevith Meunaka, Naveed Thahir, Sanuja Sanuth, Demitha Wijesekara, Lithuka Mansilu
Backs – Shaahid Zumri (Vice Captain), Kalindu Silva, Dinada Thinul, Gesandu Benthotage, Abdullah Faizer, Sithupa Bometh, Avishka Hiran, Samiru Disas, Adithya Madushan, Abdul Azeez, Nimantha Sandeepa, Methupa Bimsath, Kaveed Geethathma, Rizmy Jafrad, Shevin Peiris, Sajith Samsudeen, Thenula Dewnitha
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Fixtures
- Vs Sri Sumangala College – 15th June at Havelock Park
- Vs Science College – 23rd June at Air Force Grounds
- Vs Dharmaraja College – 29th June at Havelock Park
- Vs S. Thomas’ College – 06th July at Havelock Park
- Vs Trinity College – 13th July at Havelock Park
- Vs D.S Senanayake College – 21st July at Sugathadasa Stadium
- Vs St. Anthony’s College – 27th July at Nittawela Stadium
