Japan: The ‘NEMESIS’

Sri Lankan rugby has escalated to higher echelons over the last two years and this is largely due to the transformation in the current domestic structure and a constant cash-flow in to the game.

The Carlton sevens tournament has been recognised as one of the main influencing factors for this revolution in the domestic tournament structure and improvement in playing standards. Playing with and against the best players across the globe has helped Sri Lankan rugby reach new heights. The ‘Tuskers’ have always done well in Asian seven’s tournaments finishing among the top 5 on a regular basis, but have never been able to get past the final hurdle. There always seem to be a roadblock at every single bend be it fifteen aside rugby or sevens. Japan has been a longstanding foe for Sri Lanka for many years and the islanders have not been able to beat the Asian powerhouse a single time during this ancient tussle.  

Japan recorded their highest score against Sri Lanka in October 2002 during a world cup qualifying game beating them 126 points to 6 in a fifteens game . The Lankans have come a long way since then closing the gap every single time they go out against the Asian giants. Japan more recently known as the Brave Blossoms started playing the oval ball game in 1899 while Sri Lanka facinatingly started the game twenty years before in 1879. The last few encounters between the two sides have been comprehensively dominated by Japan. 

Last 5 head to head clashes between Japan and Sri Lanka 

Japan has employed a number of foreign players in their domestic rugby structure with a few even representing the country which gives them the upper hand in terms of physique. The Fijian born Lote Tuqiri is one of these internationals who have made it to the Japanese side whose namesake represented Australia both in rugby league and union. Another is Samoan born center Alisi Tupuailei who has been the backbone of the team’s midfield since making his debut in 2009. Similarly there are a number of ex-internal players that represent the National and domestic teams in Japan which gives them the competitive edge over their opponents during decisive times. Hong Kong too employs a similar approach through their domestic rugby structure and that has had a colossal impact on their Asian and international standings. 

Change of game plan 

Almost all of the international rugby teams, including New Zealand, South Africa and England have a number of expats playing in their ranks. With the rise in the rugby standards in the country it would be ideal to employ this foolproof plan which has been adopted by many sides to side step their way in to the big league. 

There are  many positives which the Sri Lankans players can take back from the two sevens tournaments and one of the most promising ones is the discovery of the ever-dependable little dynamo, Srinath Sooriyabandara. The nippy half back though small in stature played a key role in achieving the memorable feat in Thailand. He managed to score 5 tries in the Thailand leg which included a hat-trick against Kazakhstan. Correspondingly, younger players in the mold of Jason Dissanayake, Sandun Herath, Mithun Hapugoda, Sudharshana Muththuthanthri and Chamara Dhabare were given the adequate exposure which would be helpful in the upcoming tournaments. 

There has been a steady progress in the rugby standards of the country and the current Asian rankings provide us with the evidence. In 2011, the Tuskers were ranked 11th having had a treacherous run in the Asian circuit. However they made amends last year (2012) winning the bowl in the first tournament and the plate in the remaining three which saw them leapfrog to 6th in Asia. Currently they are tied at 3rd place together with South Korea both having accumulated 19 points each with Japan heading the table with 24 points and Hong in 2nd with 22 points. 

Sri Lanka will play a triangular tournament with Madagascar and Poland in late October on home soil and there is also the Indian sevens tournament on the 12th and 13th of October which will be followed by the Singapore sevens tournament which is scheduled to take place on the 9th and 10th of November.