The very first of its kind, the Rugby Rumble 2014, a rugby fiesta with a different flavour will be held on 14th and 15th of June – 3pm – to midnight at the Havelocks Sports Club grounds.
The event a seven – a- side tag rugby tournament will bring former college rugby stars back on pitch for a fun-filled revival of a great sporting action in a heady carnival style atmosphere. A fantastic event full of festivities it will combine all the thrills and spills of great rugby in a fairground atmosphere as well as nights of stellar entertainment in one exhilarating weekend.
Mr.Dilroy Fernando (Tourament Director ) First thanked all the sponsors of this special event and thanked all the media personal who were present at the press conference. He mentioned that there will be over 400 players who will represent their schools. He also mentioned it is to be a fun filled day to witness as anyone can bring their families and enjoy the rugby and fun activities and that there will be a live band from Singapore to perform at the rugby carnival.
The tournament is to be conducted in two categories; over 35 and over 25 where players could represent their respective schools. He also mentioned that players who have represented clubs and the national team will be able represent for this event.
The participating teams will be fully kitted out in trendy Canterbury jerseys carrying their respective college crest and colors and have the chance to win trophies and cash prizes to the value of Rs 700,000/=
The teams that will be representing their colleges will be D.S Senanayake, Isipathana , St.Peters , Zahira , St.Anthonys, Trinity, Royal, St.Thomas, St.Josephs , Dharmaraja, Ananda, Wesley, Kingswood and Science College. In addition there will be two mixed school teams, the green dragons and the royal rumblers who will join the battle.
Each team will need to have minimum 10 male players and 5 female players in the squad of maximum 15 players per team. Of the playing 7 there should be a minimum of 5 male and 2 female players playing on the field. Mr.Fernando mentioned that the female players can be chosen from the national rugby side if required. Former Sri Lankan referees are set to officiate these events ie S W Chang, Tony Amith, Jamaldeen and D. Nimal.
Main Sponsor of the event Dimo, Mr.Rajeev Pandithage , Deputy General Manager said that they were highly enthusiastic about the upcoming action “Jeep is about taking on challenges, excitement and adventure. We feel this unique event reflects these values and is sure to be a one of a kind experience for everyone”.
Coca Cola Country Manager said, that they are privileged to be sponsors of this momentous event and are our looking forward for this rugby carnival.
Mr.Tharanga Gunasekera , Head of Marketing of Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation said, “that they are delighted to be the official banking sponsor of the first ever rugby rumble.” He mentioned that HSBC Bank locally and internationally sponsors a lot of sports events and that they have recently sponsored the Bradby fiesta as well and that they are indeed happy to sponsor lifestyle events such as supporting old boys of this rugby carnival.
Finally Mr.Fernando explained and showed a video clip of how tap rugby is played all-over the world and also demonstrated how a player could be tapped. Basically every player will be wearing a belt on the waist and that will have two straps on either side(left and right waist of the individual) The opposite players should remove either strap from the player and when that team has reached to the count of five taps from opposite team then they will have to give the ball(turnover) to the opposite team to attack. He also said that there will be no tackles, no mauls , no lineouts. The matches will be played on two pitches 40 meters width and 50 meters length. Time duration will be 7 minutes per half with the finals being 10 minutes per half.
Points will be awarded during the pool matches on the following basis:
Win = 3 pionts/Draw = 2 points/Loss = 1 point/No Show = 0 point
There will be 4 groups to each segment and the top two teams from each group will be moving to the next and cup quarter finals round where the winner of A group will play the 2nd place of group B. And Second place of group A will play winner of group B and other two groups the same. Third place teams of all groups will head to the knockouts of the plate competition. Fourth place teams will head towards the knockouts of bowl competition.
Round Robin Group – over 35,
Group A= St.Josephs, St.Peters, D S Senanayake College, Kingswood College
Group B = Isipathana College, Science College, Royal Rumblers, St.Anthonys College
Group C = St.Thomas College, Green Dragons, Royal College, Dharmaraja College
Group D = Wesley College, Zahira College, Ananda College, Trinity College
Round Robin Group – Over 25,
Group A = Ananda College, Green Dragons, Isipathana College, Wesley College
Group B = St.Peters College, Zahira College, Science College, D S Senanayake College
Group C = Trinity College, St.Josephs College, Kingswood College, Dharmaraja College
Group D = St.Anthonys College,Royal Rumblers, St.Thomas College, Royal College
