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by Dinesh Weerawansa

National coach SSP Nimal Lewke said the forthcoming Singer Sri Lanka International Rugby Sevens will be the 'first test' for the new look Sri Lanka seven-a-side squad, which is under a long-term development programme.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily News, Sri Lanka national coach Lewke said several factors have contributed to Sri Lanka's unimpressive performance in seven-a-side rugby while our 15-a-side has done 'very much better'.

"We have identified the factors and are on a development programme with the intention of grooming a strong sevens team for the future.

We have a pool of 24 players for sevens and we want to continue that programme uninterrupted," a determined Lewke said.

He attributed the lack of a proper domestic seven-a-side competition structure as one of the main factors which has put Lankan seven-a-side rugby on the back foot.

"In 15-a-side rugby, we are in the Asian circuit. We could be rated No. 3 or 4. However, we never get an opportunity to go for the world circuit in rugby union Tests.

But in seven-a-side rugby, we go straightaway to the world arena and meet some of the top class teams.

To add to this, we have a comparatively sound 15-a-side domestic structure in both clubs and schools though the competitions in domestic sevens are lacking," he explained.

Technical-wise too, Sri Lanka's seven-a-side rugby team has identified their weak links, tackling for instance. "Our tackling has not been up to the mark and we have paid special emphasis on that. Proper communication amongst players too is lacking. Communication is something, which is very important when it comes to sevens. These factors have been identified, evaluated and paid special attention in our new sevens development programme with this 24-member squad," SSP Lewke explained.

The seven-a-side coaching programme here is sponsored by a US-based web firm Ionosphere. "Unlike in the past, we did not leave out the stand-byes in the pool. All 24 players underwent intensive residential training. We have enough replacements who are in good shape.

We plan to continue this programme. It's important with several international sevens to come," he added. Lewke is a man with a proven track record. His credentials as a coach speaks for his success story.

He has brought Sri Lanka 15-a-side team to a certain level with limited resources. If he is given the fullest backing, his latest move to develop sevens rugby too should be fruitful.

SSP Lewke and his assistant Asanga Seneviratne recently followed the IRB level one coaching programme in seven-a-side rugby. They are keen to impart that knowledge to the team and see that Sri Lanka improves in sevens too. Speaking on the forthcoming Singer Sri Lanka International Sevens, SSP Lewke said that Sri Lanka team did reasonably well last year and that he expects them to do 'much more better this time'.

Apart from this weekend's 16-nation tournament at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka team is due to compete at Dubai Sevens in November, Kings Cup Sevens in Thailand in December and the Hong Kong International Sevens in March.

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