St. Joseph’s College enter the 2017 season following drastic changes to their coaching systems as they seek to secure their first ever title in schools rugby history.
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Blast from the Past
Rugby started back in 1954, even though it was not made official till the following year. The team from back then was known as the ‘Hornets’. Chrishanth Fernando was the first unofficial captain in 1954. Mahendra Dias followed as the official captain in 1955.
Rugby was in the shadows of cricket but managed to produce excellent players of the likes of Dinuk De. S. Wijeratne and former Sri Lanka Rugby captain Anton Benedict. In the recent past products of the highest caliber namely, Dhanushka ‘Gertha’ Perera, Pium Jayasinghe, Rehan Thiyagarajah. Most recently Taariq Salih, Vimukthi Rahula and Charana Sendanayake all had the privilege of representing the Junior Tuskers as they hope to push for a place in the National set up.
Ever since being a regular fixture in Division ‘A’, the Josephians have managed mid table finishes in the 2015 and 2014.
Last Season
The first half of the 2016 season was quite disappointing but a good end to the season saw the team from Darley Road clinch the Plate championship. Prior to the league, Joes were placed as semi-finalists in the sevens tournament losing out to Isipathana.
Romesh Priyankara, Chathura Senavirathne and 2017 captain Vinul Fernando represented Sri Lanka last season.
Seven seniors departed from the 2016 team but Vinul and Chathura will be aiming to stabilise this year’s team with their national exploits.
Players to watch out for:
Vinul Fernando will be the man to lead the Josephian outfit this season. The winger was the highest try scorer for the team from Darley Road with five tries. His good season with school helped him secure a place in the Under 18 sevens teams that travelled abroad.
Chathura Senavirathne, the fly half was inspirational for Joes last season ending as the highest points scorer with 42 points which included 3 tries, 9 conversions, 2 Penalties and a single drop goal. He traveled along with the Under 18 sevens teams and his experience will all come good as he leads the line playing at fly half.
Centre Gamunu Chethiya will be another man looked up to in the back line. The youngster played with a good head on his shoulders last season and will be aiming to add to his college exploits this season.
Flankers Praveen Thangiah and Tharindu De Alwis will be the experienced heads in the forward pack. They will look to lend their experience from the past seasons as they strengthen the rather inexperienced Joes forward pack.
Coaching Staff
Nilfer Ibrahim joined the team at Darley Road following a couple of title winning seasons at Isipathana. He is joined by former Thomian trainer Dinesh Kumar and former Navy Player Anuranga Walpola as forwards coach. Dev Anand will be the kicking coach.
Verdict for 2017
There have been many changes in the coaching set up for this season and i think we can make a push towards a title along with a good strong team – Vinul Fernando
This is a whole new and different challenge for me, wherever i coach you can expect a good backline. We hope to become champions with this Joes team – Nilfer Ibrahim
Royal College vs St. Joseph’s College
Isipathana College vs St.Joseph’s College
St.Josephs College College vs St.Peters College College
St.Joseph’s College vs Dharmaraja College
St.Anthony’s College vs St.Joseph’s College
Squad 2017
