Sports

Selection chief Dr. Maiya exudes confidence in new look team

by Dinesh Weerawansa

Chairman of Selectors, Dr. Maiya Gunasekera exuded confidence in the new look Sri Lanka team which will scrum down with the hosts Thailand in their IRB Rugby World Cup qualifier in Suphanburi today.

Dr. Gunasekera said Sri Lanka now have a speedy three quarter line which should hold the key in today's match. "We have a penetrative back division, especially the three quarters have shown good form. In fact we have a devastating set of three quarters, it is virtually the Kandy Sports Club 'line', except for Nalaka Weerakkody," he said.

The selection chief said the three quarters have a greater understanding among themselves as most of them they have been playing in the same club side and that is an advantage. "The forte of Thailand has been their back division and now we could match them. Hence, I don't think that the Thais will have that much of a home advantage through their three quarter moves," he added.

The former Royal, CR & FC and Sri Lanka player now a surgeon said both Sri Lanka and Thailand are on par where the forwards are concerned. "Now that we have a better back division, Sri Lanka is in a position to challenge them well," Dr. Gunasekera explained.

He added that Sri Lanka is experimenting their emerging youngsters and that they are in the process of building a strong squad for next year's Rugby Asiad in Sri Lanka. "Definitely we could groom a good set of three quarters by then," a confident chief selector said.

"It is good that C.P. Abeygoonawardena has joined the team as Assistant Coach to experienced George Simpkin. They would make a good combination to guide the lads in tense situations. If we play well within our capabilities, Sri Lanka should be able to make it," he concluded.

However, Thailand are set to throw a tough challenge to Sri Lanka as the hosts will be at full strength with the return of their soldiers, who did not figure in their last year's World Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka. That enabled Sri Lanka to emerge victorious 46-17 in Colombo after that infamous 0-72 thrashing at the hands of the Thais a couple of years ago.

Meanwhile, one of Sri Lanka's leading sports promoters Singer Sri Lanka has come forward to sponsor the Sri Lanka national team for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers.

Secretary of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union, Dilroy Fernando said it was a tremendous boost for the team after Singer stepped in to sponsor the national team. He thanked Singer for their gesture and hoped that the Lankan lads would live up to expectations.