Sri Lanka will see International Rugby Board Sevens Player of the Year nominee for 2007 and 2008 Ranfred Dazel representing South Africa at the special tournament which will be worked off along with the Carlton Sevens at the end of this month in Sri Lanka. Fijian legend William Rider has also confirmed his participation for his country.

Meanwhile - Chairman of the Interim Committee of rugby in Sri Lanka, Dr. Maiya Gunasekera said: “Yes I think rugby is getting to a stage where like in cricket there are players who specialize in the shorter form, so too in rugby players might choose to concentrate on sevens only. If some players decide to be specialist sevens participants, it would be welcomed by us.”

There is criticism from many quarters that Sri Lanka will field a weakened team at the prestigious Carlton Sevens. Players representing the Defense Services are yet to come for training as they are involved in a rugby tournament which ends today. When asked, Dr. Gunasekera said; “You have to understand that the Defense Services tournament was organized at the beginning of the year. These sevens tournaments were confirmed only mid way through the year. I am not making any excuses for these players. But they are in training anyway. So it should not be a problem for them to fit in to the Lankan sevens team.”
He added; “The good thing is when the new administration comes they will know about the international commitments that we have as in the Asian Rugby tournament in March or April and then the sevens circuit during September, October and November. Keep in mind that the IRB and the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) launched the Asian Sevens Circuit only this year.”

Gunasekera added “I believe the administration of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) will have to have a short local league season. We do not want to metaphorically kill the players. Right now what happens is that once the league season is over, the players are given a break and then at about this time of the year they begin bulk training which literally means working with heavy weights in the gymnasium. And after that only they begin toning and fitness training.

Whereas for sevens rugby obviously you need players who can run. That is why I believe that once the Union contracts players, some might decide to be specialists. This entire sevens saga was thrust upon as opposed to the incoming body who will know what to expect.”

“In addition if we qualify for the Asian Five Nations, we have to play matches on a home and away basis. Thus the league must be shortened to give our players a break and ideally we should have five or six players who play only in the sevens format.” He said in conclusion.