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‘Small Blacks’ return to test Sri Lanka’s progression from last Rugby Union tour- BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.(eLanka Sports Editor)
Sri Lanka’s international Rugby Union aspirations get another acid test with the return of the All Blacks, (Small Blacks), Under 85kg weight category team who were impressed with their visit to the Island nation last year.
New Zealand, being one of the benchmarks of world rugby, gives Asian nations like Sri Lanka a closer look at what the game at the highest level looks like.
Playing the All Blacks and the weight restricted teams is poles apart in many respects, but the standard of the Kiwis under 85kg squad has all the skills of the top level.
So Sri Lanka’s task will be to better their last effort where they were soundly beaten in both encounters but showed improvement in game two.
Although the Small Blacks won their two games the last time, they were importantly awakened to the unknown skill and remarkable talent in the Island, and left convinced the tour was worth a repeat.
The ‘Small Blacks’ also referred to as the ‘Lean Blacks ‘, arrive in Sri Lanka next month for another two game challenge to the home team. But details on whether the Sri Lankan forwards will get a bonus advantage like the last time is unclear at the moment.
I chose my own name for New Zealand’s second team because of the relevance to ‘Lean Blacks’ only fits into after match celebrations.
The Kiwis were ready to concede two prop forwards upto 105kgs in their last encounters.
Two games at the Racecourse ground in Colombo on May 25th and in Nittawela on June 3rd will thrill Sri Lanka’s rugby mad fans in this now popular exchange aimed at uplifting local standards.
It made little difference to the highly skilled New Zealanders who countered the heavier Sri Lankan forwards with speed and dexterity that the locals can replay the tape and learn from.
New Zealand thrashed Sri Lanka 50-10 in game one at Nittawela but met with better resistance in Colombo although comprehensively dominating the home side for a 32-6 victory.
Sri Lanka Rugby have named a strong 45- member squad that is being put through their paces in preparation for the two-Test series and the more important Rugby Asiad later in the year.
The retirement of vital cogs in the backs for Sri Lanka in Tharinda and Nigel Ratwatte will be worrying if they are unable to find similar quality replacements.
Sri Lanka Rugby have recently embarked on a serious program to lift the country’s standards to world recognition and there’s been plenty of work around this under an energetic new administration headed by energetic Chairman Pavithra Fernando.
