With the Schools’ season done and dusted, and the Club season getting underway with the club sevens a fortnight ago, ThePapare.com profiles players to have a look-out for at the Dialog Mercantile Sevens Rugby tournament which will be played on the 20th, 21st & 22nd of July at the Racecourse International Stadium.
- Fazil Marija (MAS)
Sri Lankan legend Fazil Marija will no doubt want to end on a high following his immensely successful career, as he’s set to grace the stage for one last time in the MAS outfit. The former Kandy SC stalwart hung up his club and national boots earlier this year and has since gone on to assume coaching duties. However, he is still is in exceptional physical condition and will be raring to go for one final showdown.
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- Anuradha Herath (Dialog)
After finishing the 2017/18 season with CH & FC, Anuradha Herath began the 2018/19 season with a bang in the club sevens competition. The former Peterite winger has added a few pounds and looks unstoppable on the wing. The 23-year old crossed the whitewash on numerous occasions in the winning club sevens campaign for the Maitland Crescent outfit and will surely be looking to take his form into the Dialog camp who are in search of silverware at the Mercantile sevens this year.
- Danushka Ranjan (Access)
The poster boy and arguably the best player in the Island, Danushka Ranjan will be seeking to enhance his value with yet another dazzling show. Having recently completed a successful tour with the Tuskers, the power-packed centre will be looking to make his mark with Access. Having won the tournament in 2016 with the team, Ranjan will be eager to regain the title they surrendered to MAS last season.
- Reeza Rafaideen (John Keells)
Another lad from the successful Sri Lanka touring party to France, Reeza light-up the club sevens with CR & FC and will surely want to get off to a flyer with his mercantile outfit John Keells. He was unstoppable with his speed and power on the wing for CR and we are surely in for yet another treat from the former Kingswood three-quarter.
- Srinath Sooriyabandara (Access)
Growing up with nimble feet, Soori used his brisk speed and stepping ability around the pitch, mesmerizing opposition and viewers. Now, having won almost every accolade going around, the nippy halfback is aiming to double his Mercantile sevens titles as he takes to the field with Access, following a successful tour of France with the Tuskers.
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- Gayan Weerarathne (MAS)
Following a comeback into the National Sevens outfit, Gayan Weerarathne will no doubt want to bring back the glory days to his illustrious career. The Kandy enforcer has had his fair share of injury woes, however, has fought his way through and returned to the paddock in style. His contribution at the recently concluded Paris World games was immense and he will no doubt be aiming for a repeat performance with MAS.
- Adeesha Weerathunga (Nation Lanka Finance)
Following selection to the Sri Lanka 7’s team in 2017, the former Isipathana back rower has improved in leaps and bounds with both open play and his work at the breakdown. Add speed and strength to the equation and the 23-year old is a formidable force in the returning Nation Lanka outfit.
- Kevin Dixon (Access)
Coming off a comprehensive training from the land of the All Blacks, Kevin Dixon is expected to shine at this year’s first 7’s tournament he is set to grace in an Access jersey. With the Asian games and the Asian Sevens series around the corner and Sri Lanka selection at hand, the pocket-rocket will want to bring on the big show as he prepares to regain his place in the Tuskers setup.
- Gamunu Chethiya (MAS)
Plucked from the Schools’ sevens champions, St. Joseph’s just over a fortnight ago- where he ran the “show” – Chethiya’s rise has been almost as quick as his footwork, earning him a place in a star-studded MAS squad for the 2018 Mercantile sevens. According to what we witnessed over the Schools’ rugby season, his unpredictability & lightning feet make him the sort of player any team would pay the big bucks for.
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