Sri Lanka’s Premier International rugby sevens tournament, Carlton Super 7s is yet again at the edge of spreading the rugby fever all over the island. Representing the Uva Province, Uva Vipers will be watched with keen interest as they are packed with New Zealand players.
History
The Vipers were ranked at 7th & 8th positions of last year’s international segment and the local segment respectively and was placed 8th in the 2014 local leg. Even though they were unable to come up the ladder, the team played a good sevens rugby comparing with the first edition of the local leg in Kurunegala and finished 2nd in the group on the day one in the second edition of the local leg in Beliatta. All Blacks Sevens Captain, DJ Forbes made history by adorning the Vipers jersey the last couple of years giving a great opportunity to the local youngsters playing alongside them.
Captain (Shehan Pathirana)
Royal’s prodigy, the talented Shehan Pathirana from Havelock Sports Club will be leading the Vipers this year. Shehan fondly referred to as ‘Lema’ will be captaining the team with his newly experienced aptitudes from Glasgow 7s 2014 where he scored a try against Trinidad & Tobago in the finals which contributed to Sri Lanka winning the Shield Championship for Sri Lanka. He is one of the players who have excelled in playing in both the 7s and 15s format at a very young age.
Coaching Staff & Franchise Owners
The Vipers are owned by the Rank Holding (Pvt) Ltd dealing with shipping lines, imports and other trade businesses. The All Blacks 7s skipper D J Forbes will once again function as player/coach while well-known Sri Lankan Coach Sanath Martis will co-coach with him. Rohan Chinthaka will be the Manager for the Uva Vipers.
Foreign Players
The Uva Vipers will comprise the cream of the New Zealand legends with the All Blacks Sevens Captain stalwart, DJ Forbes, will be colouring the team and the Carlton Super 7s with his indisputable skills this year as well. The dangerous Tomasi Cama who won the IRB International Sevens Player of the year in 2012 and Tim Mikkelson who was awarded the IRB Sevens Player in 2013 will add more colour to the team together with their fellow team players, Gillies Kaka & George Tilsley.
Local Players
The local set of players for the Vipers will consist of the leading lights of Sri Lanka rugby. One of the most prominent speedsters in the National 7s squad, Sandun Herath will be engaged in action for the Vipers. Herath who was the highest try scorer in the 2014 Dialog Rugby League and was exceptional in Glasgow 7s 2014, where he scored a try against Australia with only three minutes to the full time whistle to the cheers of the fans at the Ibrox Stadium in Scotland. Hailing from Kandy, the forward, Gayan Weeraratne of the Weeraratne brothers, and who is packed up with sevens skills and loads of experience will be another added advantage. The versatile Costa brothers, Ashan De Costa & Kavindu De Costa will be adding up their competences to the team. Ashan, whose swiftness was marveled in the local leg, will combine with his younger brother Kavindu to form a formidable opposition to any side.
Local Leg Performances
Uva Vipers finished in the 8th place overall although they deserved more with their improved playing in the local leg. Shehan ‘Lema’ Pathirana, Ashan De Costa & Kavindu De Costa were the stand out players in the local leg.
Full Squad
Shehan Pathirana (Captain)
Sandun Herath
Ashan De Costa
Kavindu De Costa
Gayan Weeraratne
Tharindu Chanaka
Randika Alwis
Ijaaz Bohoran
Samith Dananjaya
DJ Forbes
Tomasi Cama
Tim Mikkelson
Gillies Kaka
George Tilsley
