Young players must be mixed with old - new SL rugby coach Hetaraka

Vernon GUNASEKERA

RUGBY: "Every player has to prove to me that he is good enough to be included in the National Rugby team. Until then, the only sure places in the team are mine and the manager's."

Willi Hetaraka, the new National Rugby Coach stressed this point in an interview with our sister paper Dinamina at Nuwara Eliya recently.

He believes that young players must be mixed with the older players. "I will start my top on building a strong Sri Lanka team from the bottom" says Hetaraka.

"We have the talent to challenge any of the top three teams in Asia (Japan, Korea, Hongkong) but to do that Sri Lanka have a lot to do."

Fitness, Attitude, Skill levels and plans matter mostly in this run to the top.

"Sri Lanka have a population of 20 million. New Zealand have only 4 million. There are more under-19 players in Sri Lanka than New Zealand. The only difference between them is Attitude."

The new coach said that there are four players in Sri Lanak who can be matched with all blacks Super Stars Reeco Gier, Carlos Spencer and Tafai Agosa (sevens captain) but avoided naming the four Sri Lankan super stars.

"I have the right to say this because I coached those three all blackies. The only difference between them and the four Sri Lankans is fitness conditioning and mentality."

"You can't coach class. You can see class. You are born with class. Just like a thoroughbred horse" Wataraka said.

"I come from a country ware Black Jersy excel. Sri Lanka also have a Jersey. Even though the countries are different the honour of the Jersey doesn't change. You have to get it into your had that when you wear the National Jersey you are representating 20 million. Whether they are from the North or South doesn't count. Player's must have this same thinking like mine."

"You must honour the Jersay you must know why you are wearing the Jersay".

"All Blacks players will give their lives for New Zealand to win games. They will compete even on a ground filled with pieces of glass. I don't see that kind of attitude in Sri Lanka. My main aim is to put that thinking into Sri Lankan Rugby heads."

To achieve the top spot in his sporting a player must have the physical power,skill level, Tough mentality (intertwined to the game) and most importantly you must have the honour to wear the National Jersey, said Willie Hetaraka.

He also said that he is not afraid to lose matches in order to achieve bigger things in the future.

" I am a realistic man. We will lose matches. But my aim is to win the most important games."

"If a coach is dreaming..If he thinks that he can go undefeated for three years at International level just ask the present New Zealand coach Greaham Hendry, says Wataraka.

After going on a 14 test wining streak New Zealand lost to South Africa by thing margin of one point (21-20) last saturday (2).

Willie Hetaraka, a New Zealand Maori who was the National Rugby Coach for India before coming here has produced several All Back players.

Other than being a New Zealand National Selector for All Blacks and Maori All Blacks he has also coached the latter and the under 21 team.

"You must have knowledge of what you are doing. By having knowledge it gives you power perceived is power achieved. Power achieved is having the Authority to speak about that particular topic", concluded Willie Hetaraka, our new National Rugby Coach.