Victorian Schools rugby team's tour called off

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

RUGBY: The Victorian Schools Under-16 Rugby Team of Australia who were due to tour Sri Lanka from November 16 to 25 this year have called off their tour citing security reasons according to the Executive Director of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) Dilroy Fernando.

The SLRFU had assured the Australian Rugby Football Union which had approved the tour of maximum security for the Victorian ruggerites but they have decided to cancel the tour after taking into consideration reports on the security situation in Sri Lanka on web sites in Australia.

The Victorian Schools ruggerites were to play six matches during their 10-day tour - two matches against two top schools in Central Province, two games against two leading schools in Western Province and two matches against a Combined Ruhunu Schools XV.

The ruggerites from Victoria were also due to conduct a coaching camp for players from tsunami-affected schools in the Southern Province.

They were also keen to distribute rugby balls, boots and jerseys among ruggerites from the Southern Province in a bid to promote the game in the Province.