I Nearly DIED
Sometimes I wonder why I do the things I do. I have always wanted to see if Rugby is my thing, and the passion this nation has for it is what intrigued me.
I wanted to do this episode for a long time, but never found someone who had the skill that has made headlines till now. The man who I have featured needs no introduction. From the navy team and star flanker, Dhanushka ‘Gertha’ Perera, who was leading the team and is now forward coach at the Navy taught me a few skills, and man, I nearly died.
Gertha says “I started Rugby at the school level. I was the Under 13, 15, 19 and 1st XV Rugby Captain at St. Josephs College. i played Club Level Rugby and was in the Sri
Lanka Rugby Team for many years. So taking into account all of that, I would say I have been playing rugby as a professional rugby player for a long time, nearing 18 years now”.
So for this shoot, I learnt a few moves, mainly the basics, which are clearly important 1. Front Spear Tackle
2. Ball Passing and how to hold the rugby ball
3. Hand off to avoid the tackle
4. Some speed drills
I wanted to quit 2 min into the shoot
I wanted to know about the fitness level one must possess when they enter the game. Gertha says “Different rugby positions require different levels of fitness. Specific fitness is concerned with the demands of a certain position or activity. But all in all rugby players require 100% mental and physical strength.“
So after my first tackle, I nearly cracked my head and it's painful to even see the video, but for him my “dramatic” approach was nothing as he has had all parts of his body cut and hurt in the years of Rugby.
He has had two major injuries. One in his Ankle and one nose injury.
Today, apart from rugby, Gertha is a personal trainer for an exclusive clientele, especially for those who require Crossfit training. The personal training sessions conducted are not for the faint of heart, trust me on that. He has taken cross fit training as his main path, as it's the most effective way to stay fit. He was overseas for almost two months recently studying and learning Crossfit and now has partnered with High
Octane to bring that knowledge to Sri Lanka. He also co-owns a business which is a performance wear/ sportswear brand called
“Kobra Performance”. He says “it's something I am really passionate about since it's very important to wear the right performance wear/ sportswear when training”
Would I do this to myself again? Well, No! But it was a great experience to try rugby at least for a day, and according to Gertha, I would have made a good player. I think I can live with that.
Would I do this to myself again? Well, No! But it was a great experience
I started Rugby at school level. I played club level Rugby and was in the Sri Lanka rugby team for many years.