Carlton Super 7s tournament connects the young and old together to provide an enthralling joy ride of rugby 7s. Carnival atmosphere will colour Koggala on August 8th and 9th before it returns to the main city of Colombo for the final leg.
Representing Ratnapura district and Kegalle district, the Sabaragamuwa Stallions are a perfect bunch of rugby players blended with young blood and experienced minds.
History
The Stallions won the 2013 Colombo leg beating Jaffna Challengers in the final by 47-14 in favour of Stallions. They emerged as the runner-up of the 2013 overall championship. During the early editions, Stallions did not perform up to their expectations. The World’s fastest rugby player from USA, Carlin Isles wore the Stallions jersey in 2013. New Zealand 7s sensations; Mark Jackman, Byrce Heem, Jack Wilson and Jonathan Malo formed a great alliance for Stallions in the past Carlton 7s events.
Captain
Former Kandy SC forward, Dilip Selvam will lead the Stallions in 2014 and this season he will be playing for CH & FC. Kandy’s ‘unsung hero’, who goes quietly about his business at the dark end of rucks and mauls in the 15s format is a fierce 7s player as well. Selvam brings a large amount of physical and mental attributes to his game and he is renowned to be a true fighter for what he believes in the sport of Rugby. Selvam is a true leader after leading out his club and school to many championships in the past and his experience will be key for the Stallions to form a winning mixture.
Coaching Staff and Franchise Owners
Stallions will be coached by Stephen Betham, who is also currently the Head Coach of Manu Samoa 15s National Team, ranked number 8 in the world. He is also known for having masterminded Samoa’s IRB World Series Title triumph in 2010. He will be joined by local Assistant Coach Lakala Perera. Sabaragamuwa Stallions franchisee is owned by Valliel Finance spearheading their sports commitments through NSports.
Foreign Players
Stallions have added the Samoan flavor to their team. Alatasi Tupou, one of the best 7s players in the current IRB Sevens circuit, has much experience under his belt having represented his country’s 7s outfit since 2006. Fellow countryman Tulolo Tulolo, who is currently playing as a Winger for the Samoa Sevens as well as for the Manu Samoan 15-a-side team. They both recently represented Samoa at the Glasgow Commonwealth games. The rest of the Samoan mob consists of speedy players in Fautua Otto, Meki Magelele, Fale Sooialo and Talaga Alatipo to complete the Samoan contingent in the Stallions squad.
Local Players
Former Trinitian and Kandy SC winger Sashan Mohammed is the danger man from Stallions team as he can penetrate any defense. Richi Dharmapala will be the surprise package as his quick balls from scrums and rucks will give his backs to run down the flank in no time. Former Isipathana skipper and current Navy SC fly-half Devinda Pathiranage is a key member of the Stallions lineup as he is definitely a talented player with lot of potential in the 7s format.
Local Leg Performance
Stallions fared poorly as they finished 9th and 7th in Kurunegala and Beliatta respectively. They collected only 5 points in Kurunegala while their star winger Chula Susantha who is now a part of Central Kings scored 5 tries in the 2nd leg of the local tournament.
Full Squad
Dilip Selvam (Captain)
Rajitha Abeykoon
Andrew Bradley Benson
Prasad Devinda Pathiranage
Richie Dharmapala
Dinesh Kumara
Nalin Kumara
Gayan Udara Liyanage
Mohamed Sashan
Thishan Wickremasinghe
Alatasi Tupou
Tulolo Tulolo
Fautua Otto
Meki Magelele
Fale Sooialo
Talaga Alatipo
Video Interviews – Carlton International 7’s 2014 – Sabaragamuwa Stallions
