A prolific wing-three quarter, a reliable full back and a secure center in the form of speedster Gemunu Chethiya is set to captain the touring Sri Lanka U19 fifteen’s team that is looking forward to earn themselves their title at the upcoming Asia Under 19 Rugby fifteen’s tournament ready to kick off in Chinese Taipei.
Undoubtedly one of the best players graduating from the schools rugby circuit of 2018, Gemunu Chethiya will lead a 27-member team as the Junior Tuskers will want to regain lost respect with some strong performances after having suffered heavy losses against Hong Kong in and away from Sri Lanka last year.
Chethiya, who unfortunately couldn’t finish the first leg due to a shoulder injury in the first few minutes of the Sri Lankan leg last December, is one of the most experienced campaigners in the Sri Lankan U20 circuit. He has been hovering the same shoulder bone clavicle pop, missing out ThePapare.com’s Kandy-Colombo clash and the rest of the practice matches followed up.
මේ ශූරතාවය අපට ලැබෙන්න ඕන දෙයක් – ගැමුණු චේතිය
However, the selectors have made the correct choice in captaincy with Gemunu Chethiya being the most experienced player set to tour after having previous toured with the Sri Lanka U18 Sevens, U20 Sevens’, and the U19 fifteens’ teams. Chethiya was a highlight in the concluded four local sevens’ tournaments. The appointment was confirmed by the Sri Lanka Rugby chief of selectors Rohan Abeykoon.
The Josephian side featuring Chethiya went on to win the Schools Sevens title. Being amongst the top try scorers in the concluded school’s sevens’ tournament also played for the MAS team at the 48th Mercantile Sevens. His good form in those tournaments led the famous local club CR & FC to recruit the young superstar.
Gemunu Chethiya to captain Under 18 to Commonwealth Youth Games
The 27-member squad will be finalized shortly afterwards by the panel of selectors as Sri Lanka will leave the Island early-December.
Stay logged onto ThePapare.com for more updates on the tour!
