Small Blacks take home the Sir Graham Henry trophy again but with clear apprehension about Tuskers progress. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Sri Lanka’s Tuskers showed why New Zealand and the rest of the world should be aware of the rising standards of rugby in the country.
Losing the first Under 85kg Test on Colombo 27-16, the Tuskers produced another gritty performance before going down 10-25 but the final scoreline did no justice to the ferocious contest over 80 minutes.
The Small Blacks returned home with their reputation intact but with the growing apprehension that Sri Lanka’s team are no easybeats anymore.
New Zealand’s skipper Jared Perceval readily agreed after two gruelling encounters that Sri Lanka’s Tuskers have improved tremendously since the last tour where the winning margins over the locals were much bigger.
Sri Lanka’s coaching staff can take much credit for the improvement in their defensive work that stunned the visitors for their ferocity.
The Kiwis are obviously bent on helping Sri Lanka establish themselves on the world platform and things are already pointing that way.
Continued tours of this kind can only help Sri Lanka in a sport they dream to compete at a global level outside of Cricket.
Right now, the long supported under 85kg weight category idea fashioned by former Australian Rugby Union Chairman Dilip Kumar together with former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer needs IRB backing and approval to involve more countries in the world to compete in the popular game.
Logistics and financial support may be the reason holding the governing body back.
Sri Lanka can go back and review their lapses which will reveal it rested more on lack of alertness to the slick Small Blacks who were well drilled on exploiting even the smallest chinks that presented itself.
New Zealand rugby from grassroots up is fashioned to cover all aspects of the game. Only those who master attack and defensive skills at a highest level make it to the top for representative selection.
Actually, watching the All Blacks under-19 side in the junior World Cup, the skills produced was blinding. They still could not go all the way as the world beating South Africans grabbed another trophy to add to their ongoing collection in Rugby Union and Cricket.
The Tuskers grabbed an early lead in Nittawela to shock the Small Blacks through an infringement that resulted in a penalty try being awarded.
Sensing danger, they responded in typical fashion to force the Tuskers into retreat and error to level things and setting the scene for a terrific contest.
Skipper Jarred Perceval was taking no chances under the continued defensive pressure by the Tuskers and resorted to accepting every penalty on offer. He knocked over two, adding to a conversion to give the Small Blacks breathing space and a 13-7 lead at the half.
The second session was a contrast as the Small Blacks returned with a determined focus on breaking the defensive structure of the Tuskers which they achieved with two more tries and the series.
Sri Lanka’s efforts throughout suggested that they did have their chances of changing the results which were squandered by indecision and the inability to score more when the opportunities presented itself in attack.
That experience is the work in progress they need to figure out on going forward.
The Kiwis were absolutely professional in that respect and carried home the Sir Graham Henry for a second time after an unbeaten tour once more. But with it they leave with a clear knowledge that their next foray appears to suggest things will be different on their next visit.
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