Lanka Sevens rugby team off to Hong Kong

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

The Sri Lanka Sevens rugby team led by Pradeep Liyanage left for Hong Kong yesterday to take part in the Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens which will be worked off from March 28 to 30, 2008. "I have been coaching the Sri Lanka Sevens team for the last three weeks and I am confident that they will put up a good performance at the Hong Kong Sevens," said coach Rawiri Maku prior to the team's departure for Hong Kong.

"The main drawback for the Sri Lanka Sevens team was the lack of exposure at international level as they do not take part in the International Sevens rugby circuit," said Maku.

He said that Radhika Hettiarachchi will play as prop forward in the first match with either Ashan Karthelis or Imran Bisthamin with Kapila Knowlton likely to play as hooker.

Seasoned campaigners will play in the back division. Scrum half Amjad Buksh will pair off with Fazil Marija with skipper Pradeep Liyanage playing as centre with one of the best 'Sevens' players produced by Sri lanka in recent years Sanjeeva Jayasinghe occupying the winger's berth.

The Sri Lankans will play their first match against defending champions Samoa on March 28 followed by their other two group matches against England and Canada on March 29.