Last year’s triple champions may be still unbeaten after 4 out of 4 wins in this season but there is a real problem with the teams kicking at uprights.
Although Dev Anand was appointed as the kicking coach recently for the Green machine, they once again could not kick a single point through the post in the match against St. Peters as they failed four (4) conversions by Isuru Kongahawatta and three (3) Penalties 1 from Kongahawatta and 2 from Chathura Dilshan the flanker. As a result Isipathana missed 17 points in kicking, despite St. Peters playing better rugby than their first half.
As per the graphic above clearly shows they have scored 27 tries in four matches and only 5 conversions and 1 penalty. This is something strange in their history of rugby whereas Rizah Mubarak a product of Isipathana being the first choice kicker in the national Tuskers team.
France and Italy rugby team has a huge problem in finding a proper outside half despite being a football playing nation and world cup winners. But the problem for Isipathana is not about their Number 10 Kongahawatta. He is indeed a class act in terms of game management, tactical kicking and never afraid of taking a decision when they are on attack. Undoubtedly he is the best fly half in this year’s schools league.
Greens have in depth of capable kickers in the likes of Chathura Dilshan (third row), Nisal Deshata (third row/hooker), Rehan Romesh (utility back) in fact all three said names represented Sri Lanka under 20 last year. They all tried the uprights but out of 27 chances only 5 conversion (penalties not counted)with a percentage of 18.5% which Is driving insane for the Nilfer Ibrahim’s boys.
Isipathana also missed 18 points against St. Joseph in to the uprights. It will be interesting how they will overcome on this debacle as the schools rugby has another week off due to the Vesak. Nevertheless, if they could not improve the current kicking issue they will have a hard time with Kingswood and Trinity as Reeza Raffaideen and Saranga Gunathilaka were on song with their kicking at goal.
