Sri Lanka under-20 Sevens Rugby the best in Asia – By Trevine Rodrigo in Melbourne
Sri Lanka’s rugby future appears in good hands if their recent success in the Asian Rugby under- 20 Sevens circuit is any indication of their prowess.
In a series designed much like the International Sevens which spans the globe at the highest level, the Asian junior version comprises the best teams such as Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong who are powerhouses in the world game and the plucky Lankans displayed fantastic skill to emerge winners of the two nation tournaments held in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia and Kowloon, Hong Kong.
It is the first time in Sri Lanka’s 137-year old rugby history that they have won an international event such as this, their crowning moment being when they smashed a powerful South Korea 38-0 in the final of the Malaysian leg of the tournament.
The South Koreans had earlier knocked out powerful foes Japan 24-19 in the semi-final.
The second leg in Hong Kong proved to be much tougher as the gallant Sri Lanka outfit battled to control a resurgent home team going down in the final 10-36 but clinched the Asian Rugby Under-20 Series 2016, with an overall 26 championship points.
Sri Lanka scored from two unconverted tries which came from the backs of Omalka Guneratne and Shamri Burah, while the hosts were seemingly powerful in their final outing, which was not enough to prevent from the young Tuskers becoming overall champions.
“Hong Kong played much better and they were an improved side from the last outing in Malaysia. But I’m really happy and overjoyed by our achievement, which is historical in the annals of Sri Lanka Rugby. It’s a great moment for Sri Lanka and I’m very proud of my boys,” stated an overjoyed Sri Lanka coach Sudath Sampath, soon after his team’s triumph.
Taking off from the point they left in Malaysia a fortnight ago, where the Sri Lankans emerged winners of the first leg, the overall winners produced some scintillating performances in the two-day competition.
They reached the Cup semi-finals beating Chinese Taipei by 36-12, Thailand by 40-5 and Malaysia by 40-5 in the group matches finishing as Pool ‘A’ leaders.
The young Tuskers carried forward their form to beat South Korea, who they met in the final in Malaysia, by 19-12, to fix up the final showdown against an improved Hong Kong side.
Hong Kong topped Pool ‘B’ after beating Singapore by 36-5, the UAE by 40-5 and South Korea by 33-0 to meet Malaysia in the semi-final.
The hosts then defeated a resurgent Malaysian outfit by 26-14 to meet eventual overall winners Sri Lanka.
In the First Leg of the Asian Rugby Under-20 Series worked out in Johor Malaysia, Sri Lanka defeated the Philippines by 22-5, Thailand by 31-5, the UAE by 45-5, and recorded their only loss to Japan after a close game 14-19.
But in the finals Sri Lankan lads smashed Koreans by 38-0. Ironically the Koreans defeated Japan 24-19 in the semi-finals.
This is the first instance any Sri Lanka team has won an international Sevens Rugby Series in its history of 137 years.
The Sri Lanka Sevens squad led by Kevin Dixon included Omalka Gunarathne, Nishon Perera, Reza Rafaideen, Vimukthi Rahula, Shamri Burah, Lasindu Ishan, Tariq Salih, Rehan Silva, Buddhima Priyarathana, Chamika Kusal and Supun Dilshan.
The officials on board were Sudath Sampath as Head Coach, Rajiv Perera as Manager and Imthi Marikkar as High Performance Director.
