Team-work will make the difference!

Ken de Joodt

After watching the best 20 Rugby teams in the "World Cup" recently staged in France, Rugby fans the world over were fascinated with the 'brand' of superlative rugby it was 'quality play, all the way!'

Just to fall in line with the 'Experts' on the game, it is comprehensive 'Teamwork' that makes the difference the understanding between players, the willingness to co-operate and help each other, while paying vital attention to obey the rules, on the field - as well as off the field!

Rugby is a sport that requires constant renewal in thinking, planning and a process of quick decision making. High quality rugby is accomplished by a combination of individual skills and the execution of Team-skills. One cannot do without the other, to achieve the dreams of winning - and winning well!

Performance depends largely on 'practice' - which is done together! Each individual is different from the other and each one has his own unique style and skills. So when it comes to 'teamwork', it takes time to blend and work together to have a fruitful end!

With the confirmation of the 23 member Rugby squad approved by the Minister of Sports and Recreation Gamini Lokuge, it was prop forward Jeewa Galgamuwa who was appointed to captain the Sri Lanka side, at the forthcoming ASIAD. He has a heavy burden to 'carry on his shoulders' - since coaches can instruct (or preach!) but the team has to put it into practice - like the famous true saying - 'practice what you preach!'

From what they say, many pool players averaged around 40 per cent attendance, which makes it hard to get close to been perfect and if we are to go by the norm," practice makes one perfect!" SO, it will be interesting to see what the National Coach Rob Yule and Manager S. W. Chang will produce, as they face a tough call ahead! They could either 'call a bluff' or prove critics wrong in their 'discouraged' assumptions!

Y. C. Chang, a former Asian Rugby Football Union President and one of Sri Lanka's brilliant, bustling forwards, spoke of the glamour, pomp and pageantry of the 1990 ASIAD, held in Sri Lanka.

He said "Malik Samarawickrema and Lionel Almeida as SLRFU President, spared no pains and held no briefs, in setting up an ASIAD, which was one of the most memorable rugby events ever staged in Sri Lanka."

"With Priyantha Ekanayake as Captain of Sri Lanka, he held the side together with good discipline and orderly conduct on and off the field. Every team member rallied round and carried their responsibilities in a splendid manner, which finally paid great dividends and brought a good name and distinction to Sri Lanka Rugby!

As National coach, Anton Benedict and Technical Advisor Jeff Matheson, from New Zealand, helped the young, enthusiastic Sri lankan Rugby-players, to 'get their act together' and with regular practice and trials to choose 'the best'! They certainly did and performed well" said Y. C. Chang.

Perhaps today, Rugby fans can be encouraged to know of many instances in the past, that have seen the "Dawn after a dark night" and to see the glimmering hope of a new light that will shine over Sri Lanka Rugby! Just three days more and the 'blast-off' of the Singer Rugby ASIAD 2007 will commence with China playing the opening game against Sri Lanka, at 4.20 p.m. on Saturday 3rd November at Longdon Place. Don't miss the Chinese 'fireworks' and Sri Lanka's efforts to douse it!