Carlton 7s Rugby is on

Dilanka Mannakkara

Sri Lanka is just one day away from the second edition of the annual international Carlton 7’s which will be staged on November 27 and 28 at the Sugathadasa

stadium in Colombo. This event which has turned out to be the most celebrated in the Sri Lanka Rugby calendar will play host to number of sides from prominent rugby playing countries. Digicel Fiji Barbarians, New Zealand legends, Samoa Babarians, Australian legends, South African vipers and Kenyan Shujaa (which means Warriors in Swahili) are some of the big names due to hit Sri Lanka.

One of the most successful elements in the first edition of the international Carlton 7’s Sri Lanka was the extraordinary ice bath. This was proven to be very useful for all the players as they commended the organizers for their brilliant idea of revolutionizing the ordinary ice bath. Some of the players from other countries even stated that this was one of the best ‘ice baths’ they have ever experienced. This time organizers have put together two ice baths, each being able to hold up to 12 players (which can include the whole team). After a tiring match both teams will have the luxury of getting into one of these ice baths which will dramatically shorten the recovery time for the players and bound to appease the visiting sides no end.

At the back of the players’ enclosures, the organizers have put up comfortable, self-sufficient marquees for the players to rest and sleep. The tournament will also have up to date medical facilities to attend to player’s injuries and a host of other amenities which will be useful to players.

Another interesting feature is the industrial fans with the ice sprays which will enable the players to stay cool throughout and will be especially beneficial for the players from colder countries.

The organizers have gone out of their way to provide state of the art and above expectation conveniences to these international players and intend making it such a niche that it will lure these top level rugby players to look forward to re-visiting Sri Lanka’s mega event.

Chinese, the fittest out of the lot

They beat the Lankans in the Asian games 26 to 5 where they were far more superior and dominant than the dismal Lankans.China, is the team that has been rated the fitted to enter this tournament. Despites attempts in 2003 and 2007 to qualify for the World cup, China is yet to quality but their superior strength would be an interesting component on display.

The first domestic rugby team was established on the 15th of December in the year 1990 by Professor Cao Xihuang at China Agricultural University. The first ever game was played in the year 1991 and it was organised by the Hong Kong Rugby Union which took 140 rugby players from Hong Kong.

New Zealand Legends

The New Zealand legends are one of the top contenders for the Carlton sevens. Despite losing a few of their regulars they are expected to come out fighting. The famous New Zealand Haka descending from the traditional Maori war dance and performed to the opposition before a match in order to intimidate, tells everything about New Zealand rugby. The New Zealand legends who display an expanded variety of rugby will rely mostly on their continuous attacks to dismantle the opposition. These Kiwi’s grown up and nurtured on the field of rugby will do all in their power to live up to the legendary All-blacks reputation.

South African Vipers

The other front runners of the tournament are the South African Vipers. The Vipers having won the Singapore Rugby Sevens tournament for the third consecutive time, will be the inform team coming in to the tournament. The vipers who are a domestic development team of South Africa sevens gave in a giant killer of a performance in the Singapore tournament and is one of the emerging giants of world sevens rugby.

The Vipers possess some of the fastest men in their ranks and are deadly on the counter attack. They were also the runners up of the last years Carlton 7s.

Australian Legends

The lads from down under who finished in 6th place in the last years Calton 7s will no doubt put shoulder to wheel and come out threatening and determined this time around. The Aussie’s who have been a force to be reckoned with at the world stage will bring in their big boys to try and to carnage their way through. Aussies well-known for their brutal strength will use it to counter their opposition.

Samoa Barbarians

The flamboyant Samoans who have a number of players who are a part of the team that became the IRB world series title holders will be at full strength and ready to go against the rest of the giants. The country which has only a population of less than 200,000 have been a frightening force in the international rugby arena, both in sevens and also in rugby union. The big made lads thrive on open play and can create a gap at any given time with the minimal effort. Grouped with Asian giants Japan, Samoa will have to use their immense size and strength to bulldoze their way to the top.

Kenya Shujaa

Shujaa which means Warrior in Swahili and that it epitomizes the Kenyan team. Roaring to the top of World Sevens ranks, Kenya will look to use their army of sprinters with lightening pace and quick-stepping dexterity to flummox the opposition. Coming from a country that naturally produces the fastest and fittest of Athletes, the Kenya Shujaa has no shortage of complete sevens- caliber men.

Featuring many national players, these panther-like men, having beaten the much esteemed all-blacks thrice in the last few years, have become the toast of sevens rugby in the world. According to the experienced Carlton Sevens Tournament Director George Simpkin, the Kenyan Shujaa is tipped to steal the very expensive trophy.

Digicel Fiji Barbarians

Last year’s Carlton cup winners Fiji will have some known names in the sevens arena in their lineup. The scrum half position will be taken up by nippy Vucaqa and the center position will be played by Osea Kolonisau who was devastating last year with his power runs and aggressive defence. Sadly, Last year’s highest try scorer William Ryder is one of the missing names in the squad. Ryder turned on the heat at the Sugathadasa Stadium last year scoring 15 tries and 4 conversions giving him a full tally of 83 points.

Carlton Sevens Participating Teams

Australian Legends

Andrew Rossiter, Ilaitia Gavidi, Mathew Garland, Kyran Tanuvasa, Mitchell Wad, Ben Johnston, Robert Butcher, Thomas Lynch, Josateki Lalagavesi, Simione Sawene, Paul Donley, Christopher Roche (Manager), Wayne Hansen (coach), Michael Rutter (physio)

Chinese Team

Hui Xu, Yang Li, Jiacheg Wang, Jialin Li, Guanjun Liu, Xuesen Chen, Jianhua Wang, Guoliang Yu, Shuo gu, Xiaolong Han, Pen Lv, Chao Liu, Zhiqiang Zhang (Manager), Fend Yuan(Coach), Xuming Jiang (Physio)

Digicel Fijian Barbarians

Seremaia Nakala Burotu, Watison Votu, Sitiveni Waqa, Samuela Saqiwa, Risiate Vunidakua Tuberi, Ratu Emosi Vucago, Nikola Leka Matawalu, Mitieli Nacagilevu Namisi, Nasoni Rokobiau, Josaia Lotawa, Saimoni M Nuku, Josefa Bole, Salevukurukuru C Sorovaki (Manager), Iliesa Tanivula Samusamuvodre (coach), Karolina Unaisi Lala Doviverata (physio), Serupepeli Navuta Tuibau (Trainer)

Japan

Taiki Watanabe, Michiro Takai, Kazuhiro Moriya, Shindo Kamaike, Shota Emi, Tetsuya Omine,Dai Ozawa, Kazushi Hano, Kazuki Yoshida, Kensuke Iwabuchi, So Kaku, Yasuhiro Iljima (Manager), Wataru Murata (coach), Shinichi Minamikawa (Physio)

Malaysia

Helbarth Jemlit, Jonathan V Tan, Danny Suzairie Mohamad, Nathanael Tan Aik Ming, Mohd Muizaddin Mohamed, Nik Safuan Ismade Nikman, Mohd Syahir Asraf Rosli, Nacani Seniu, Sovundakua Semi Seruvakula, Cyril Joe Ojihi, Badrul Musa Muktee, Neville Philip, Jude rampangjouw, (Manager)Mussolini Magele (coach), Poh Yan Yeoh (Physio)

South African Vipers

Albertus Johannes Mulder, Adrian Philip Curry, Scott Brian Curry, Jack Headly Wilson, Taleta Tupuola, Karl Drew Bryson, Buxton Sa Si Leutulava, Paul Francis Tietjens, George Tilsley, Lance T J McDonald, Mathew G Hodson, William B McGoon, Paul Claridge (manager),Lyn Te Raiti Nikora(Coach), Annette Therese ‘ Connor (Physio)

United Arab Emirates

Andrew N Russell, Cyrus Homayoum, Hayden E Palmer, Duncan Alasdair Murray, Bayron S Kraemer, Khaled Helal, Mohannad Ahmad Shaker, Yousef Ahmad Shaker, Mohammad Ahmad Shaker, Mohammad Hassan Rahma, Mohammad Adel Al Sulaiman, Shane Thornton, Lee Johnson (physio), Saoud Balshalat (Manager) Hamdan M Suleiman, Mohammad Abd R Falaknaz, Faisal A Al Aziz Al Zarouny (officials)

Chinese Taipei

Huan-min Chu, Cheng-hsien Chiang, Chia-hsien Chou, Ming-Che Chuang, Chia-Cheng Chen, Hao-ming Chen, Yao-tang liu, Chih-Hsian Pan, Jui-chi Wei, Wu-HSien Lo, Hsun Pan, Cheng-Wei Lee, Chen-Tai Lin(manager) Fu-jen Su (coach), Jung-Yu Su (physio)

Germany

Falk Duwe, Marvin Dieckmann, Florian Wehrspan, Mark Sztyndera, Sebastian Kobler, Pierre Mathurin, Jerome Ruhnau, bastina Himmer, Alexander Metz, Anjo Buckmann, Sean Amstrong, Steffen Liebig, Michael Schnellbach (manager), Mustafa Gungor (coach)Michael Brsken (physio)

Kazakhstan

Pichugin Dimitriy, Daulet Akymbekov, Akhmetzhan Baratov, Sergey Konev, Timur Mashurov, Alexxandr Zakharov, Nikolay Zhuravley, Arman Mussulmankulov, Viktor Zolotukhin, Serik Zhanseitov, Denis Molochnyy, Grigoriy Ivanchenko, Robin Yule (coach) Sapargali Shalgimbavey (manager), Georgiy Skpin (doctor)

Korea

Chang Min Park, Chul Woong Kwak, Jin Ha Lim, Dae Hoon Lim, Oh Bong Kwon, Tae Il Yoon, Noh Young Park, Jin wook Lee, Min Soung Kang, Send Joung Oh, Min Seo Hwang, Si Won Choi, Pan Kil chung (Manager) Sam Young Jung(coach), Jung Gyun Cho(physio), Hong Sun Lee, Jae Yong Kim (officials)

New Zealand Legends

Albertus J Mulder, Adrian P Curry, Scott B curry, Jack H Wilson, Taleta Tupuola, Kar Drew Brayson, Buxton Sasileutulava, Paul Francis Tietjens, George Tilsley, Lance T J McDonald, Mathew G Hodson, William B McGoon, Paul Claridge (manager),Lyn Te Raiti Nikora(Coach), Annette Therese ‘ Connor (Physio)

Kenyan Shajuu

Sidney J C Ashioya, Seje Leo B S Owade, Lawrence B Esikumo, Edgar A Mbaya, Eden A Kochieng, Kevin Umbuge, Willian Ambaka Ndayara, Fabian O Ogutu, Michael W Matayo, Kennedy Isindu Kangaya, Collings Mulaa, Felix Ayange, Newton Rubbin Ongalo (Manager) John Mitchell Otieno (coach), Kennedy Ouko Mogire (physio)

Samoa Babarians

Maselino Paulino, Isamaeli Time, Michael Tavae, Sanele V Tuilagi, Paletuatoa Toelupe, Lole roman Tualaulelei, Fa’afoutovia Amate, Sani Niue, Lepupa taualagi, Alatasi Tupou, Rober Visesio Lilomaiava, Taupo Sefo (manager), Vaapu Vitale (coach) Milovai Moke (physio)

Spain

Glen Rolls, Juan Cano, Pablo Feijoo, Adam Newton, Jaon Losada, Ignacio Martin Goenaga, Facundo Lavino, Pedro Rodriguez, Ryan Leroux, Pablo Alcalde, Pedro Martin, Carlos Blanco Smith, Jose Inchausti(manager), Fernando Diez(coach), Jaime De Benito (physio),

Front Runners for Carlton Sevens

With just days to go for Sri Lanka’s mega rugby event, the Carlton Sevens, we take a look at some of the front runners and favourites of the tournament. This two- day extravaganza will feature top teams around the world and the best of sevens rugby will be showcased at the Sugathadasa Stadium.