Sri Lanka fail to make top four at Asia Rugby Sevens. Urgent review needed for upliftment of standards. BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
Sri Lanka failed again to make an impact on the Asia Emirates Rugby Sevens, this time at home, finishing fifth after a narrow 26-19 defeat to China in the quarter finals.
Japan took out the second leg at the Racecourse ground in Colombo beating arch rival Hong Kong China 28-14 but Hong Kong China were declared overall champions on a points differential in the two rounds. Hong Kong China are therefore back-to-back champions.
China and South Korea played off for third and fourth place.
Japanese women went back-to-back in the women’s segment beating China in the final 14-7.
Playing off for fifth place against UAE, Sri Lanka won 26-5, then beat Malaysia 33-5 and climbed two spots better than the last appearance in round one in China where they ended seventh after reaching the quarter finals.
It was a disappointing result for the Lankans whose reputation at this tournament has been far below expectations and is in serious need of redress.
There will no doubt be a review of the declining form of the team and all matters around training and preparation methods for the tournament.
They also have a huge void to fill with the announcement by legendary skipper Srinath Sooriyabandara about his retirement from national duties after a spectacular 16 year run.
Sooriyabandara has etched his name as one of the most dangerous opponents in Sevens rugby at international level.
Hi speed and guile has made him a handful to the best in the game. Sri Lanka will sorely miss this brilliant player.
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