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| Saturday, 3 July 2004 |
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Rankings of rugby nations by the IRB The oval Ball by Y.C. Chang Of the 95 rugby playing nations. India stands at 90 and Sri Lank at 63. Let us also see how our Asian neighbours are placed on this ladder. Korea 20, Japan 22, Chinese Taipei 33, China 39, Kazakhstan 46, Singapore 57, Thailand 59, Papua New Guinea 62 and Malaysia 70. The positioning of China at 39 and Sri Lanka at 63 is remarkable. China is an upstart with a history of just a few years of rugby, whereas Sri Lanka has over a 100 years. Not long ago we boasted of being number four in the Asian region, but now it appears we are around the ninth. Whilst I am completing this column, the match between Thailand and Sri Lanka will be held at Longden Place. The outcome of this is not predictable. Whoever wins will be promoted going up the ranking ladder and the loser down. The Dublin based International Rugby Board has in recent times come in for some stick from many quarters particularly in the ranking of countries. The system was chosen for its reliability, transparency and flexibility and that the rankings were tested against a database of more than 4500 international matches dating as far back as 1871. Each team was awarded their ranking points (up to 100) on current strength, which stays the same until they play again. But under this system, a team cannot gain points with close losses against higher ranked opponents. Many nations were unhappy with this system and in fact some papers went as far as to call the IRB crazy and requested to know what planet they are living on at the moment. Another commented that the IRB, whose headquarters are in Dublin, is a little too close to St. James Gate, where the famous Guinness Ale is brewed and they have been imbibing a little too much. All this sabre rattling happened because in September last year (2003) the IRB launched the official ranking of all nations. In the list they had ranked Ireland ahead of World Cup pool rivals Australia, and behind only England and New Zealand. This ranking was at odds with the unofficial rankings that had the Irish placed at 6th behind France and South Africa. This is all water under the bridge now. The ranking just before the English toured the Southern hemisphere. They were on top as number one. New Zealand and Australia a close second and third. However, this will change after the disastrous performance by the English. New Zealand will now head the table, with the English dropping a couple of notches. I will not venture to give the exact positioning until I see the results. As I said in my last article calculating this needs specialists and not the ordinary. The last of the second round matches of the Caltex League, will be played this weekend. The bottom end teams are scrambling to get a toe hold into the "Super Sixes", Whilst Kandy Sports, CR and FC, CH & FC, Police and the Army are assured of their places, the sixth position is now being highly contested. Havelocks, Air Force, Navy and the Old Zahirians, will be playing their hearts out in a do or die like situation. The Air Force and the Navy are teams to be reckoned, as they do not let up until the last whistle. Many teams have lost in knock competitions to these two teams, and if I am to predict on their past performances. I can only do so in favour of them causing severe and painful upsets. I am informed that the Old Zahirians have obtained two players from Fiji causing much heartburn to its young players who have so far performed admirably well as amateurs. I wonder what great change can happen to its side, if on the one hand when the morale is low and on the other how the foreigners can adjust themselves to a new environment so quickly? This I feel is a bad decision by the administrators. The Schools season is in full swing and I see that many traditional schools are on the losing side. Teams like Wesley College, St. Anthony's College, Kingswood College and St. Sylvester's College, all from Kandy are stealing the lime light by beating the daylight out of their counterparts in each of their divisions. I am so happy to see any non-traditional school that makes its way up the ladder. This only means that the game is spreading and gaining popularity. I see that the traditional schools like Trinity - who is in the lowest division - playing schools like Maliyadeva, Sri Rahula. Who heard of these schools ten years ago. Now it has all but changed, for St. Peter's, Royal, St. Thomas' and Isipatana to eat humble pie last week. One great omission I see is the non-inclusion of the Schools Calendar into the SLRFU handbook. Whilst it may be argued that its sponsor is different and that the schools must print one on its own it may be pertinent to urge whatever body to print out a schedule of matches into one book and have it for sale. This used to be done in the past and I cannot see why it cannot be done again. This may be one reason that people are shying away from matches. |
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