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Rugby round up
Next hurdle - are we ready?
By Wimal Perera
The mention of Thailand and Bangkok evokes hope of excitement to many a Sri Lankan. To the National rugby team excitement was in the form of victory over Thailand in the Asian region rugby world cup qualifying round. There was joy and cause for celebration as Sri Lanka beat Singapore in the second match of the RWC world cup qualifiers. It was certainly joy for the players and the rugby management.

Having, selected a pool and, started practice early it was felt the Council and the selection committee were on the right track. The suspension of the league tournament to help players focus on the national requirement as against the club requirement has certainly been effective. In this regard the council and the tournament committee deserve praise for the change in attitude and decision give attention to the National team.

Now that we have beaten Thailand and Singapore we have to meet Kazakhstan on a home and away basis. I am sure Simpkin must be a happy man having seen Sri Lanka beat Thailand and Singapore. He will expect equally good results against Kazakhstan. This will be possible as the player’s confidence will be higher having tasted victory.

Kazakhstan is a heavier side and play their rugby hard and a little bit rougher. The need will be for the Lankans to have more match practice and to play together. Prior to our match with Singapore the Public Schools Wanderers were in Sri Lanka to play four matches. The opposition provided to the wanderers was a disappointment while Sri Lanka missed an opportunity to test their prowess. Three players, two from old Zahairians SC and one from CH were picked to play in the national team after their good showing against the Wanderers.

May be the term Public Schools was a misleading. This side was no school boy team. The club formed in 1940 embraces the full spectrum of rugby activity. They continue to receive many invitations from around the world and were in the final of the Hong Kong sevens in 1986. Their Captain plays for Harlequins and is no 8 for England. Most have played for the Irish, Welsh and England under 21 teams and continue in club rugby.

While the Union is in the process of giving greater opportunities for the betterment of rugby it seems the hierarchy of the playing clubs are suffering from a myopic vision and not releasing the players to be in representative sides such as the Western province and the Presidents XV.

The short visit by the Wanderers was an example of players keeping away as they had been available to the club for future key matches. Therefore they should not risk injury. It may be fair expectation as it is the clubs that spend on players. The other side of the story is: will the clubs have enough money to go around unless rugby as a whole does better.

In many areas the new council seems to be on the right track and need to reinforce with the active participation and commitment of the constituent clubs to work out a long term plan and related strategy to sustain what has been achieved, develop and move higher. Concentration and control are two important aspects which will lead to peak performance by the athlete. Concentrating your mind to do the physical work and controlling to foster mind and physical activity coordination is important.

The National rugby players or the pool need to be free from distraction that will effect concentration and control of the mind. They have to focus on the ultimate; the achievement of the national team. If they are disturbed by factors that affect, they will not be ready for peak performance. The players must be free from what will my club do? Or will I lose my earnings by not being available?

It is here the mind (the SLRFU) must take control of the body (constituent clubs). The empty coffers of the past may not have been helpful. The game gathering greater momentum and crowds coming in numbers to watch the Sri Lankan team the sponsorship will be greater. This can be channeled to the benefit of players and the clubs and the game will grow in strength. A sound financial base is an important part for the games progress. This is not the job of one man, the treasurer, but of all those involved in management as is practiced in today’s corporate world.

The Rugby World Cup qualifying round games for the Asian region has been in progress and show that country performance is fast changing. Chinese Taipei lost to China and Arabian Gulf while India beat Malaysia after going down to Kazakhstan. India was leading for about 70 minutes of the game. India was held to a draw by Guam yet Malaysia beat Guam convincingly.

Congratulations to the National side, the coach and the Management. No doubt the rugby public will be looking forward to the confrontation against Kazakhstan.

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