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Navy will play sans foreigners this season
The Sri Lanka Navy will harness talent from the rural schools, giving the youth job opportunities for a better future. In the process they will be trained and coached to indulge in rugby, said chairman Navy rugby, Commodore Thisara Samarasinghe, in an interview with The Sunday Times.

Samarasinghe takes over Navy rugby after 18 years - a similar post he held in 1987 - '89 along with old Royalist and Sri Lanka No. 8 Bryan Baptist who coached the team with success. The duo co-ordinating well saw the sailors hit a purple patch in 1989. They were runners-up in the Clifford Cup 'A' to CR and FC under second-rower Parakrama Samaraweera, 'B' team came to the K.O. final but lost. It was a rare milestone in the Navy rugby history that two teams playing in two finals on the same day said Samarasinghe.

He said the 'A' team in the semis did well to beat the Police SC under H. Marso which team included 14 national players. It was 6-all, but after a penalty shoot out it was still deadlocked. Skipper Samaraweera won on a toss of a coin to enter the finals he said, Samaraweera is not in our midst since 1995- missing in action.

The Naval hierarchy will go to North-East and South to harness talent. Rear Admiral Daya Sandagiri has given his blessings to go ahead. What about foreigners to play for the Navy. No foreigners on principle, as for the regulations and Navy Act does not permit outsiders (foreigners). We will play with the available talent drawn from the rural districts.

Virtually the entire last year's squad will be there; but will infuse fresh blood for the future. P.N.D. Kaluarachchi led the team last year. He will be in the scrum again. Second rower M. Sherifdeen, will lead this year. In fairness no foreigners should be allowed to play against any team that doesn't field professionals. The union, should take note of this.

This year Bryan Baptist, will not coach, but will serve as a technical advisor. Capt. Travis Sinniah will be the secretary-cum coach. Tom Halideen will be the physical trainer. He was a member of the "Golden Year of Navy rugby 1989." There are quite a number of officers who have played the game and fit to play. But we are unable to keep a large pool in Colombo due to the nature of duty at sea.

First a disciplined sailor, then a rugger player, he said. Players have been told to play hard to win - but within the laws of the game. Give full respect to the Referee. Don't antagonize him at any time. His word is final. Enjoy the game whilst playing and maintain the dignity of this beautiful sport at all times. It is the game that matters in the end. All on-field issues are forgotten after the match but camaraderie will prevail. The sailors play their first game against the Army on April 23, at Galle Face.

The team trains at Welisara.
The squad - P. Kumara, C. Janathan, M. Marasinghe (hookers), H.N.S. Perera, D.N. Niroshan, M. Tissera (2nd row), S.P. Chandrasoma, P.S. Perera, J.K. Bandara, G. Ranasinghe, M. Irosha, B. Fernando, M. Junoos (center), K. Deshapriya, W.A. Gunapala (fly halves), T.M. Weerasinghe, P.S. Perera, C. Dhanarathna, K. Mathangaweera (flankers), R.S. Kumara s/half Gunaratne.

Last year the Navy under-24 team emerged champs in the W.P.R.F.U. conducted tournament and came runners-up in the under-21 final. They also won the 7s Plate final, and won the Plate 'A' 15-a-side final. The sailors are determined to perform better this year with a new look side,said Samarasinghe. - B.W

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