Invitations have been sent, white lines have been drawn, the teams have practiced hard and blue and red shirts have been bought by fans as the much anticipated rugby encounter of the season – ThePapare All Star Rugby Encounter 2014 between Colombo Blues and Kandy Reds is set to take place on the 26th of July at Race Course International Stadium- 4.15pm.
Players from Colombo and Kandy will share the passion of rugby in a hotly contested affair which will bequeath the future Sri Lankan rugby stars. After a grueling season, the schools rugby climax encounter will no doubt test the skill level, mental and physical strength and adaptation of the players from either team. Sri Lanka’s No.1 sports hub – www.thepapare.com has lined up a great evening for all the loyal rugby supporters and fans from the nation’s two majestic cities of Colombo and Kandy to witness this once in a life-time experience where the cream of schools rugby battle each other in a power-packed game.
In addition to watching the stars on display, the event will hold its own intrigue with the stealth presence of the national selectors as the match also serves as a window to selections for the Junior Asiad. The players are likely showcase themselves at their brilliant best not only for the selectors but the entire rugby fratenity that is expected to descend upon the Race Course in numbers that evening.
History of the Encounter
ThePapare All Star Rugby Encounter was put together in 2010 by the passionate rugby reporters of www.thepapare.com and the inaugural event was held at CR & FC with the participation of over 6,000 spectators. Colombo Blues was skippered by Thomian center-three quarter Shaveen Kapuwatte and the Kandy Reds were captained by Kingswood full back Rajitha Sansoni. After a spectacular game of rugby, Colombo Blues bagged the ThePapare All Star challenge trophy beating Kandy Reds by 36-17. The 2011 edition proved bigger and better with another massive turnout where Shehan ’Lema’ Pathirana led his Colombo Blues team to a resounding win over Murad Ramzeen’s Kandy Reds in a monumental battle.
This year, ThePapare All Star Rugby encounter returns after a lapse of two years and has planned to top their previous ventures taking to account the staggering schools under 20 season which saw the mighty ‘Green Machine’ Isipathana crowning themselves to become the unbeaten triple champions. ThePapare All Star, a path-breaking encounter has been the stepping stone for young schools rugby players to perform and catapult into the club and national sides.
The match which will be in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association who will be responsible for appointing the coaches, player selection and conducting practices..
Key Battles to watch out for
Tarinda vs Nimshan – Both place kickers from Colombo and Kandy have a long history between them and the two exceptional play makers will no doubt play a part with their boots on 26th July. Trinity’s Tarinda will have the burden of captaincy on his shoulders while Nimshan will be free from the leadership responsibility unlike when representing Royal and the Blues full back will look to run down the flanks or join the line to create the over-lap in crucial moments of the game. Tarinda creates magic with ball in hand and he will look to reproduce another special performance. Place kicking will be a pivotal area as the outcome of the match will surely be based on how Tarinda and Nimshan will be kicking from the tee.
Omalka vs Rangala – The two number 8s will have to drive the wheel in defense and in attack of their respective forward packs. Trinitian Isuru Rangala is a brilliant player with mobility being his main strength and he will have an uphill task in stopping the ‘The Hulk’ from Isipathana as Omalka will no doubt hit the Reds defense strongly. Rangala positions himself at the right time and right place at critical moments such as his try at the 2nd leg of the Bradby shield and the 83kg boy from Kandy will have to dish out another sturdy performance to take his team to victory. Omalka had a dream 2014 season and with expectations rising day by day, Gunarathne will be grooming himself to become the future Sri Lanka number 8.
Tight ‘Five’ contest – front row and second row forwards of both teams are eager to scrum down in a constricted manner as the scrums will have a huge telling on the speed of the game. Both teams consists of bulky forwards and they will no doubt stick to their basics in this pressure encounter. Second row’s will have to jump accordingly in lineout and the combination errors might pop out during the match as the tight ‘five’ of Colombo are coming from different schools.
Squads
Colombo Blues – Ganuka Dissanayake, Lasindu Ishan, Stephan Gregory, Udara Anjana, Supun Warnakoolasuriya, Nishal Deshantha, Umesh Madushan, Sithum Peiris, Akhila Perera, Taariq Salih, Shenal Deelaka Silva (Captain), Chathura Dilshan, Omalka Gunarathne, Sudam Parinda Sooriyarachchi, Prasad Malinda, Rehan Rumesh Silva, W.P Vishwawijeya, Kevin Dixon, Shamri Burah, Nishon Perera, Bhanuka Gamage, Lahiru Prasad, Chathura Gomez, Nimshan Jayawardene, Prince Chamara
Kandy Reds – Lahiru Maliyagoda, Dinendra Ratwatte, Inza Noor, Nimesh Prematilleka, Janith Amerasinghe, Neuman Dilan, Shemal Weerasekera, Isuru Rangala, Shezan Saleh, Tarinda Ratwatte (Captain), Saranga Gunatilleka, Umesh Samarasekara, Asela Weerasekera, Asela Wijesinghe, Malith Priyankara, Kasun Srinath, Pradeep Kumara, Palaniyappan Pradeep , Anukshika Thilankara, Hemal Walpitage, Lochana Girihagama, Isuru Lakmal, Sanchcna Sheik, Rehan Weerakoon, Ithisham Jaleel.
The team for the Junior Asiad will be selected by Jude Pillay, Aruna Udawalagedara & ASP Niranjan Abeygunawardene.
Final Words
Disk Jockeys will spin out the best music for the spectators and the schools rugby stars will exhibit the best rugby in what would surely be an elite showdown. A packed house is guaranteed on a perfect day for open rugby with no rain expected; 80 minutes of arduous rugby will determine the tale of two cities. Colombo Blues may run favourites to win the game but the Kandy Reds as proved before will be no easy brass to strike down.
The event will commence 4.15pm – line up early for your spot
Tickets – grand stand upper – Rs 300 and open stands Free of charge.
Support Kandy – wear RED
Support Colombo – wear BLUE
BE THERE !!!!!!!!!!!!
