DUKE BLOW TO NATIONAL TEAM
Japan-based Dinesvaran out of Asian campaign
THE national squad suffered a massive blow ahead of their Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) Tri Nations Division campaign after losing key player K. Dinesvaran to a long term injury.
The Yamaha Jubilo player broke his right arm while playing in a Japan Top League match against Panasonic Wild Knights on Dec 24. He had to be taken off in the 49th minute.
Dinesvaran, better known as ‘Duke’, joined Jubilo in 2013 and is only the second Malaysian-born player to have played in Japan after Marc Le.
Though Duke found it hard to break into the first team in his first season, he has since established himself as a key player for Jubilo, who finished runners-up in the 2016-2017 Top League season.
He is now expected to be out for at least five months, forcing Malaysia Rugby to rule him out of the ARC squad. The ARC Tri Nations competition will run from April 28-May 26.
Duke has since returned to Malaysia where he has been receiving follow-up treatment at KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital.
National head coach Lee Nyuk Fah admitted that replacing Duke, who has been an influential figure in the team for the past few seasons, will be difficult.
“This is definitely a big loss to the team,” said Nyuk Fah yesterday.
“He is both a very experienced player and strong leader for us especially since he moved to play professional rugby in Japan.
“His physical size, speed and mental strength make him a great asset for us.
“He is also a versatile player who has given me a lot of options and is equally comfortable at lock, winger and wing forward.
“In terms of replacements, I do have a few players in mind.”