ThePapare All Star Rugby Encounter – the elite schools rugby showdown between Kandy Reds vs Colombo Blues will take place on the 26th of July 2014 at Race Course International Rugby Stadium.
Kandy Reds squad will be eager to paint the Race Course in red as they have the potential and skill to go back to Kandy with the cup. The Reds have failed to win the previous two encounters and this time around they are looking to outclass their feisty Colombo opponents. Twenty players from Trinity College and Kingswood College will be representing the Kandy Reds as both schools have an enormous input of over 90 percent of the players to the squad due to their tremendous 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the 2014 Singer Schools League. Kandy bastions will come down from the hill capital with all the passion in their big hearts to represent their historical city of Kandy.
We take a look at the pros and cons of the Kandy Reds squad as they prepare themselves for the final climax of 2014 Sri Lankan Schools rugby season.
Magnificent Tarinda to lead out Kandy
Kandy Reds squad will be led by Trinity College Captain, Tarinda Ratwatte. Highly talented first-five eighth will be the star player for Kandy as he scored 7 tries during the schools league and ended as the highest point’s scorer with a massive 113 points. One of the most artistic place kickers in the recently concluded schools season, Tarinda has the ability to put over any kick within 50 meters and his leadership skills have immensely developed throughout his college career for Trinity lions.
Coaching Staff
Kandy Reds outfit will have one of the most experienced set of rugby eyes as their coaching staff. The veteran coach and former Kingswood captain Ananda Casthuriarachchi also known as ‘Castro’ and former Vidyartha, Kandy SC and national rugby player and one time leading referee Anil Jayasinghe who is also an IRB Educator will be working as the Assistant Coach of the Kandy Reds squad. St. Anthony’s College, Kandy Sports Club and Sri Lanka ‘granite hard’ flanker Nihal ‘Viper’ Gunaratne is acting as the neutral selector of the strong Kandy Reds.
Players to watch out for
Asela Wijesinghe – The Kingswood captain will be the go-to player for Kandy Reds in his key position of center-three quarter. Asela scored 3 tries during the league and have accumulated 62 points with his reliable boot. Asela has the ability to sneak through any defense with his effective counter-attacking play. His punt kicks will have the distance and accuracy while he will be used for place kicking if required.
Isuru Rangala – The Trinity number 8 will play in his pivotal role at the back of the scrum. Isuru is tipped to lead the Lions next season and he enjoyed a fruitful 2014 season with his effective and ardent style of play. Isuru Rangala touched down 6 times during the season and his mobile play will make him a marked player on 26th July.
Lochana Girihagama – Trinity winger will look to replicate his try-scoring form as the powerful speed gun from hill-country is a crucial player in the plans of the Kandy Reds in countering the Colombo Blues challenge. Lochana is a well-built player and has scored close to 10 tries during the whole season including the Brady and the Milo knockouts championship.
Full Squad
Props –
Lahiru Maliyagoda – Kingswood College, Kandy
Dhirendra Ratwatte – Trinity College, Kandy
Nimesh Premathilake – Kingswood College, Kandy
Hooker –
Janith Amarasinghe – Kingswood College, Kandy
Inza Noor – Kingswood College, Kandy
Second Row –
Shemal Weerasekara – St. Anthony’s College, Katugasthota
Anukshika Thilankara – Vidyartha College, Kandy
Malith Priyankara – Kingswood College, Kandy
Hemal Walpitage – Trinity College, Kandy
Flankers –
Umesh Samarasekara – Trinity College, Kandy
Asela Weerasekara – Kingswood College, Kandy
Kasun Srinath – Kingswood College, Kandy
Neuman Dilan – St. Anthony’s College, Katugasthota
Number 8 –
Isuru Rangala – Trinity College, Kandy
Scrum Half –
Shezan Saleh – Kingswood College, Kandy
Rayan Weerakoon – Trinity College, Kandy
Fly Half –
Tarinda Ratwatte (Captain) – Trinity College, Kandy
Centers –
Asela Wijesinghe – Kingswood College, Kandy
Palaniyappan Pradeep – St. Anthony’s College, Katugasthota
Wingers –
Lochana Girihagama – Trinity College, Kandy
Sanchana Sheik – Trinity College, Kandy
Ihithishan Jaleel – Kingswood College, Kandy
Pradeep Kumara – Kingswood College, Kandy
Full Back –
Isuru Lakmal – Vidyartha College, Kandy
Saranga Gunathilake – Trinity College, Kandy
Officials
W.D.O Wijewansa – MIC
A.K.B. Dodanwala – MIC
Ruban Wijewardene – MIC
Ananda Kasturiarachchi – Coach
Anil Jayasinghe – Assistant Coach
Nihal ‘Viper’ Gunarathne – Neutral Selector
For FOC tickets to witness this awesome contest –
Email : [email protected] or call 0773330088
