Small Blacks scamper home in a hotly contested first Test against spirited Tuskers-BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
The All Blacks may review their decision to return their under 85kg rugby commitment in Sri Lanka and vindicate it, after they were made to fight all the way before edging out the gritty Sri Lankan Tuskers in Colombo.
In a hotly contested game that drew a packed crowd to the Racecourse ground, mostly of home team support, the Small Blacks faced a spirited home team that had prepared better for the highly skilled Kiwis and even showed glimpses of possibly springing an upset victory.
New Zealand were better equipped in the end, and responded like a world class side when they realised there was a serious challenge on, and strategised to slip past a fierce competitor.
The final scoreline certainly did not reflect the ferocity of the contest as the Small Blacks continued their unbeaten record for a 27- 16 victory.
The Tuskers looked ominous early in the game going toe to toe with the skillful Kiwis.
It was a game of attrition as the forwards and backs fought a relentless battle with little to choose between them.
The lead changed four times in the first half before the Kiwis pulled away for a 16-13 lead at the half way mark. In fact the Tuskers were denied the lead at half time when a long pass to the wing which was scored, it was deemed forward. Akash Madushanka was outstanding for Sri Lanka in attack and defence.
The Tuskers refused to relent, playing with speed and guile as they rattled the Kiwis with resolute defence.
The Tuskers backs were always menacing in possession and stretched the Small Blacks defence until the game slipped away in the final minutes when a momentary defensive lapse minutes from the end saw the Kiwis catch the defence napping and they pounced on a rare opportunity to put the game out of reach.
The Small Blacks scored three tries to the Tuskers two while penalties contributed to the final score. Skipper Jarad Perceval proved pivotal to the visitors victory.
The revelation from all of this is that Sri Lanka are showing signs of a marked improvement in their rugby, and could well prove after this experience that they are on the cusp of being competitive with the world’s best.
That dream and aspiration obviously lies in their development of bigger and stronger forwards to win crucial ball that their exciting backs can capatilise on.
This, it must be remembered, is a weight restricted category. In the real contest, Sri Lanka fall way short against the world’s best, make no mistake about it.
A fully represented All Blacks would without doubt obliterate Sri Lanka’s best by over a hundred points.
While the road ahead to mix it with the best is a dream in waiting, Sri Lanka can plot a path ahead by following some of their Asian counterparts by adopting top players with the desired stature to meet the demands of the elite like Japan and Hong Kong China if they are to present as reasonable challengers to the best in the world.
It’s not out of reach, just how they model their aspirations with the required sponsorship and financial support.
Playing in the under 85kg weight category gives Asian nations such as Sri Lanka an opportunity to compare skills and hone them to international expectations.
Ideally, a follow-up with a world tournament with the similar weight restriction will give Asian nations a chance to pit themselves against the best in the world and discover where they belong in a similar capacity without being overwhelmed by the bigger men at the top level. Possession is key to success among the best.
This idea was mooted over two decades ago by former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer and former Wallabies Chairman Dilip Kumar who made a valiant attempt to make weight restricted rugby worldwide possible.
It may well have offered a level playing field weightwise and offered a spectacle for rugby fans in a game that is popular around the globe.
The IRB has not shown interest in its promotion upto now.
Getting back to the under 85kg weight category, there was a debate about New Zealand not adhering to the required weight restriction, but that whine will be overlooked if Sri Lanka thinks back to the last tour where the tourists allowed two Sri Lanka forwards to weigh up to 105kgs to give some parity to the superior skill of the Small Blacks.
This historic duel between the two nations looks to be an ongoing project to build Sri Lanka’s profile in the Asian region.
Sri Lanka play in the top four tier of Asian Rugby after Asian World Cup qualifiers Japan and Hong Kong China.
They are drawn alongside Hong Kong China, South Korea and UAE whom they are up next after this two Test series.
Game two will see another packed crowd in the hill country when the Small Blacks play their final game in Nittawela. If game one was an indicator, the second match promises to be a ripping encounter.
