Sri Lanka men’s Rugby Sevens team led by Danushka Ranjan will leave the island to play in the Borneo 7’s tournament from 17th – 19th March in Malaysia.
The Tuskers made history in the Asian circuit last year by finishing second place under former England 7’s player Matt Turner. However, new coach former All Blacks sevens player Peter Woods believes that although this is an invitational tournament it will certainly help them to prepare for the big task next month for the World Sevens Series qualifiers in Hong Kong.
Speaking to ThePapare.com Woods said this. “Well I’m taking one game at a time at this stage; I’m not looking too far ahead, obviously when we come back from Borneo the squad will have a change again and will see where we go with our boys, then the qualifier’s in Hong Kong.”
He also articulated on the importance of this tournament “Well for us it is huge. We need to get these boys into sevens conditions, only way to do it is to play tournaments and the other way is for me to engage as a coach on how Sri Lankan players are. “ He further said that he will be looking a lot into fitness levels and at the moment they don’t have the sevens fitness as they’re just back from the domestic club league tournament. However, he is confident that by the time they play in Hong Kong the team will be two steps better.
Sri Lanka Sevens Squad named for Borneo 7s
National rugby selectors have picked a squad of fifteen for the Borneo 7s which will be held next week in Malaysia.
Captain Danushka Ranjan, the Kandy center and the highest try scorer in the concluded Dialog Rugby League said. “It will give us so much exposure as we play with some quality teams. We have a young side and we’ll do our best.”
The team will leave the island on Wednesday night and from the 15 man squad Dinusha Chathuranga (Navy), Nishon Perera (Havelocks) and Anuradha Herath (CR&FC) are left out on this tour.
The Squad :Danushka Ranjan, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Danush Dayan, Jason Dissanayake, Richard Dharmapala, Suhiru Anthony (Kandy SC)
Sudarshana Muthuthanthri, Kevin Dixon, (Havelocks)
Kavindu Perera, Omalka Gunarathne (CR&FC)
Saliya Handapangoda (Navy SC)
Reeza Raffaideen (Police SC)
Coach – Peter Woods , Manager – Rohan Chinthaka , Assistant Coach – Rajeew Perera Trainer – Nick Groube , Physio – Amith Jayasekera , High Performance – Inthi Marikar
Sri Lanka women’s team coached by Sudath Sampath will also take part in this tour.
“It will bring very good experience for this team for us to compete well in the Asian sevens circuit. We trained well and we will put up a good performance while we learn a lot in this tour.” Sudath Sampath said to ThePapare.com
The Squad
Randika Kumudumali (Capt), Anusha Attanayake, Ayesha Perera, Ayesha Kaluarachchi, Charani Liyanage, Dasuni de Silva, Dilini Kanchana, Dulani Pallikkondage, Nadeeka Munasinghe, Sanjeewani de Silva, Tanuja Weerakkody, Wasana Weerakkody.
Coach – Sudath Sampath, Manager – Piyumika Thilakawardena, Physio – Ruwani Deepika, Trainer – Dilan Soyza (Trainer)
