We have a balanced side-Head Coach Viper Gunaratne
to compete at the Asia Rugby Under19 Division 1 tournament which will take place in China from December 11 to 14. Sri Lanka, China, Philippines and Thailand will participate in this event.
Speaking to the Education Times before their departure, Head Coach Viper (jnr) Gunaratne said “We have picked a well balanced side with youth and Asian exposure. Many of the selected players are already with ‘A’ Division clubs at present. We are happy that the selected players being released by the respective clubs for national duty. We worked very hard on the player fitness and strength training”.
“I am very lucky to get the support from Rajiv Perera, Rohitha Rajapaksa and Ananda Kasturiarachchi during the training sessions. All of us worked as one team and our goal is to win both the matches and gain promotion to the top division in 2020,” he added.
The former national player, however added that they suffered a blow to their preparations with a few players pulling out due to injuries and sicknesses.
“We had a few injury worries for the players and some opted out, though selected. One of the outstanding players, Hirusha Sampath from Kingswood had to pull out due to Chicken-pox. This is a major blow for us. He was our number 1 choice,” he explained.
Sri Lanka’s first challenge will be against the big made Chinese players on December 11, but Gunaratne is confident of getting the better of them and qualify for the final.
Sri Lanka U-19 team is led by former Royal player, Thulaib Hassen with Wesley College player, Mursheed Zubair and Thomian, Adeesha Handunpathirana appointed as the deputy leaders. The only surprise was the omission of Santhush Algama from the squad. He was outstanding in the recently concluded school rugby season.
Winner of this tournament will be promoted to Top 4 in Asia Rugby for 2020 and will stand a chance for the 2021 Youth Rugby World Cup from the Asian Zone.
- Shamzeer Jaleel
| Team: | |
| Royal – Thulaib Hassen (captain), Tuan Dilshan Jayah, Kalindu Nandila, Fadhil Adahan, Lahiru Thillakaratne Kingswood – Milan Weerasinghe, Dinal Ekanayake, Asiri Seneviratne, Trinity – Nimesh Ekanayake, Mecan Yashwanth, Janidu Rathnayake, Reshan Bandaranayake, Warren Weerakoon St Peter’s – Nizran Nilar, Raveen Fernando, Lankesh Perera, Janindu Fernando St Joseph’s – Shehan Eranda, Gershom Thangiah Isipathana – Manilka Ruberu, Manula Rathnayake Wesley – Mursheed Zubair, Samuel Ogbebor St Thomas’ – Adeesha Hadunpathirana St Anthony’s – Suhail Waseem Lumbini – Sameera Piumal Head Coach – Viper Gunaratne Forwards Coach – Rajiv Perera Three quarter coach – Rohitha Rajapakse Trainer – Ananda Kasturiarachchi December 11 Thailand vs Philippines, Sri Lanka vs China December 14 Third place playoff (both losers), Final (both winners) |