Gallant Tuskers give Small Blacks a scare before succumbing to a 2-0 series loss. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
New Zealand arrived in Sri Lanka with no knowledge of what to expect against the locals in Rugby Union.They left the country gobsmacked by the passion, talent and crazy following of the game by the locals.
Yes, they proved superior, technically and with their slick ball movement which was never unexpected from a country which regards Rugby as a religion.
But the ‘Small Blacks’, due to the weight restriction of 85kg, showed why Rugby Union in Asia and the best in the world have a yawning gap apart from Japan, who are bolstered by the inclusion of expatriate Pacific Islanders and are rated highly in the world game.
The new concept certainly has the potential to expand the game and encourage teams such as Sri Lanka to lift their standards and compete at a higher level if the inaugural Sir Graham Henry trophy tournament between the Kiwis are a true reflection.
Sri Lanka’s second string in the first game in Nittawela were duly thrashed by the Small Blacks 50-10. But indications from that game gave clear signs that they could have a serious crack at the visitors with a more skilled line-up and better defence.
They delivered on both fronts and rattled the visitors with some lionhearted tackling but were exposed for their vulnerability under the high ball which the crafty Kiwis soon uncovered and used as a clever ploy to pull off a convincing 32-6 victory at the Racecourse ground in Colombo.
Much like in Nittawela, a capacity crowd took in the action and the Kiwis admitted after the game that they were unaware of the passion and following the game had in the Island nation.
Beaten but unbowed, Sri Lanka’s Tuskers were gallant in defeat and could well have narrowed the margin of defeat if they could have finished some dazzling moves, but squandered possession when in full flight.
They also lacked finesse in attacking situations where their forwards let the Small Blacks cleverly spoil them in the rucks and in loose play which exposed the lack of cohesion that can be addressed in their path ahead.
It was a hotly contested first half as the Small Blacks found themselves starved of possession in the lineouts as the heavier Sri Lanka forwards dominated with a fiery performance.
In a stark contrast to game one, Sri Lanka’s forwards shaded the Small Blacks in a ferocious battle up front, blunting their ability to win the ball at will and stifling any hope of them running away with the game.
Much of the Small Blacks scoring came from disjointed Tuskers forays and opportunistic exploitation which resulted in turnovers that saw the visitors taking it down the length of the field to score.
A 17-3 half time score suggested Sri Lanka could exploit the humid weather advantage as the Small Blacks looked spent. But the Tuskers appeared to be as vulnerable and spent letting their technically superior opponents scramble to a 2-0 result.
Tries to Small Blacks skipper Jarad Perceval in the 13th and 20th minutes appeared to suggest another big defeat. But the Tuskers rallied and reduced the deficit a minute later when Fly half Tharinda Ratwatte knocked over a 30 metre penalty 3-10.
Realising that early ascendency was crucial The Small Blacks swung into action and created a spectacular try by stretching the reactive Tuskers backline to create the extra man to give them a 17-3 lead at the break.
Ben Megson led a spirited and incisive Small Blacks backline and his several forays in attack stretched the Tuskers defence. He was named man of the match.
Among his highlights in this game, Megson will carry hilarious memories of being manhandled by Sri Lanka’s forwards who physically carried him about ten metres in a tackle towards his own try line.
Megson, skipper Perceval, Busby, Morrison and half-back Jackson Ephraims led the strong and challenging Small Blacks backs that gave the Tuskers defence a busy day trying to contain their waves of attack.
Sri Lanka struck back soon after the half through another Ratwatte penalty from 35 metres which was quickly replied by the Small Blacks through a penalty of their own realising the urgency to quell a possible challenge. 20-10.
Two more tries in the 60th and 70th minutes put the issue beyond doubt and carried the visitors to a 2-0 series triumph and the Sir Graham Henry trophy. But they were awoke to a serious challenger in the future.
Looking at it from Sri Lanka’s World Cup aspirations, they are a fair way behind being pitted against the best teams in World Rugby.
In their forthcoming assignments ahead in the four nation Asian qualification Sri Lanka will have to perform at a much higher level to beat the likes of Hong Kong And South Korea. UAE will not be a easy proposition either as two of those teams are packed with expatriates who are are more than a handful with their superior weight, strength, and stature.
If Sri Lanka hope to succeed, it will be with their talented and elusive backs who are capable of worrying the best defences in the world. But the key lack of possession up front, cannot exploit that strength by giving the backs enough room to work their magic.
If there is serious reflection from this series Sri Lanka Rugby can take away, it’s the need for physical strength and conditioning and the need for endurance in sapping humid Asian conditions. They play two games at home in the qualifying rounds giving the a reason to dream of the unthinkable.
A more structured game plan can deliver that.
