Sri Lanka stun Kazakhstan 45-7 in a brilliant demolition job to advance to the big stage. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
Sri Lanka shook off the cobwebs and produced a scintillating display of fast open rugby to thrash highly rated Kazakhstan 45-7 signalling a return to the top rung of Asian Rugby.
After a big win over India in soggy conditions that deprived both teams of the skills expected, the Lankans were more composed and brilliant in their execution as they nullified weight and stature disadvantage to rattle their opponents before running away with the game.
Sri Lanka took number one spot with this win in the four nation tournament in Colombo and advanced to the top tier where they will endeavour to rebuild their reputation against top sides Japan, Hong Kong, China and other top nations in the Asian region.
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In ideal conditions underfoot at the Racecourse ground in Colombo, apart from the sweltering heat, Sri Lanka were quick to realise that they had to nullify the bigger and imposing Kazakhstan players.
They executed this game plan with precision by using superior speed and guile to out think and out manoeuvre their opponents in what could be best described as a lion-hearted performance.
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Sri Lanka’s backs were clearly more deceptive in attack and created chaos and panic whenever they ran the ball.
The forwards refused to cave in to their bigger opponents tackling ferociously with guts and determination while holding them from any advantage in the scrums.
Much against the grain was the unexpected territorial advantage grabbed by the brave Sri Lankans in the initial half. Kazakhstan reversed this in the second half to curb Sri Lanka’s scoring efforts keeping it to a converted try apiece while putting Sri Lanka’s defence under seige.
What was also pleasing was the cohesive effort of Sri Lanka’s forwards and backs whose attack and defensive effort would have worried even the best teams in Asia.
Kazakhstan tried to exert their physical superiority early in the game but overplayed their hand to have a player yellow carded giving the home team impetus to press home the advantage leading to their second try.
Four tries by the 30th minute had Kazakhstan rattled as the Sri Lanka’s backline punched gaping holes in the defence extending the lead to an unassailable 31-0 lead by half time.
Scrum half Heshan Jansen, Tarinda Ratwatte, Fullback Zubair Doray, Adishan Weeratunge, Chaturanga, and Fly -half Thenaka Nanayakkara ripped shreds in the Kazakhstan defence with sizzling runs through the middle and on the flanks to snuff out any hope of a reply from a bemused opposition.
Jansen, Ratwatte, Chaturanga, Nanayakkara and Sajith Silva were the try scorers and their efforts will leave lingering memories to the capacity crowd of Sri Lankan supporters.
Sri Lanka’s performance will rank as one of the best in a while and indicates a great bunch young and inexperienced players that refuse to be overawed by physical disadvantage.
This certainly augurs well for their development at future international tournaments. Under the expert tutelage of coach Sanat Martis, the future of Sri Lanka Rugby looks bright.
