Former National and Kandy SC five-eighth Fazil Marija, along with the former skipper of CR & FC/ current Forwards coach CH & FC, Viraj Prassanna, will assist Matt Lee in the coaching department of the Sri Lanka Rugby team for 2019.
Read More: Sri Lanka Rugby hire Matt Lee
With the Dialog Club Rugby season coming to an end, it’s time for Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) to form the National XV’s squad ahead of the Asia Rugby Championship where Sri Lanka will travel to Chinese Taipei later, this may. And in order to set the tone, SLR has organized the ‘Colombo Origins Vs Outstation Origins’ clash, which will decide who makes it to the National pool while it also acts as a fundraiser for the legend, Chandrishan Perera.
Read More: A game of rugby for Chandrishan Perera
This will be Marija’s first stint as part of the National coaching contingent after he hung up his boots last year. Although his coaching career got off to a shaky start with the Junior Tuskers, the success of Kandy Sports Club for yet another year, proved to be a great achievement for the new coach. Mainly taking over control of the backs, Marija will have the options of experimenting with new combinations with the likes of Sudam Sooriyarachchi and Mithun Hapugoda in the scrum-half positions and MAYBE a fight between Mohommed Absal and Ashan Bandara for the pivotal #10 jersey – especially with both the Ratwattes, Tarinda and Nigel, opting to sit this trial out.
On the other hand, Prassanna, the former Sri Lanka and CR & FC Hooker, who is vastly experienced in the coaching field having functioned as forwards coach at S Thomas College and thereafter having coached D.S Senanayake and CR & FC. But what stands out is the outstanding work the up and coming CH & FC team displayed in the league, which has more or less paved Prassanna’s way into the National coaching pool. This year, he has the opportunity to twist, turn and twirl the forwards around, with the bigger men being the strength (as we saw in the league) in the team.
With Matt Lee heading the department, the trio looks promising as we are just days away from the national trials. Taking a look at both squads, I won’t be surprised if we see quite a few debutants making it into the National pool.
Read More: Omalka & Weeraratne to lead Colombo & Outstation
