From bowl to plate, but the gold is elusive

The performance of Sri Lanka at the to handle this area. In between this period ing once they get their residency qualificaAsian Sevens Series has been creditable. there was not much local rugby where reftions. That is where Sri Lanka has to get to. The disappointment is that we could not erees would have penalized and then the That needs work at the apex to get a system be the third Asian team in the World Rugby players would have learnt. in place while convincing the powers. On Sevens of 2013. We need to learn and corThe difference then possibly is the coachthe other hand there is a gap in skills such rect those areas that need to be polished to ing. Another reason that leads to this conas the lost tackle or the inability to play unget cup status. It would have been a spot clusion is the difference how sevens were der pressure. We have to look at this area. that could have been achieved. Sri Lanka is played as well as the way the players were That is to expose the coaches through more worthy Plate winners three times in a row. sevens fit. People talk in terms of there beand more training. The difference in them not reaching a point ing other talented players who have perIt is an obvious reality when you look higher is the gap that exists of being a formed during the season. Some did attend around and see very little new blood or that champion and plate winners. Looking forpractices and were dropped out as they key clubs and schools are coached by expaward one has to look at the strengths of the were unable to adapt themselves to the sevtriates. That is because there is a skills team and the weakness that contributed of ens pace and the needed fitness. That is an gap as was told by heads of schools. They the team that rose from bowl to plate. area that needs to be looked at in domestic are also aware that the rugby skill develop

Sri Lanka did play a better brand of sevrugby. The performance we see as great but ment at junior level is not that great. If this ens rugby using the whole field while is it? If we are to take the additional step to does not happen at schools honing the throwing passes and supporting as against get within the top three, the footwork of the skills at national level is a difficulty and chasing the ball. That was player is what helps him to this leads to being the best in Asia a diffithe difference that was seen get close to the ball, the cult climb. and achieved in a short time break down, as well as the A recent circular dated 04 October 2012 from the less than week pracgoal line. If you remain flat issued by the Secretary Ministry of Educatice for Borneo in the last footed or late off the feet tion where has advised that there will not week of August. and or don’t explode in be any recommendations for obtaining a vi

I remember after Borneo your run then you will be sa for a foreigner to teach a subject or a where Sri Lanka gave away left behind. sport. The positives as well as the negamany penalties at the break That is the same process The three top playing Asian Nations, Jadomestic tournament. The opportunity is tives have to be discussed as rugby can sufdown it was said that thisfer.to that one may need to get pan, Hong Kong and Philippines use the use this window in such a way so that afwas because the local refercloser to the crown by reresidency qualifications to their advantage. ter the residency qualification period they hey say that we don’t need foreign reees do not penalize such inducing the gap that preAre we ready to meet that threat? Using can represent the country. At the moment sources as we have local talent. The govfringements. Similarly sentivents from being among the players who qualify under the residency they play in the domestic tournament but erning body need discuss same and have a ments were made when forfirst three. Sri Lanka will qualification is not going to stop but will do not have an input to the national team. process in place than shutting the road. On eign referees penalized at the break down widen the space if we don’t keep pace and only be expanding as long as the game alThe contribution may be claimed as being the long term the council has to send coachand handed yellow cards. time. The weakness that is internal can be lows it. that of the experience the locals get playing es abroad for exposure and or have a pro

From Borneo to Shanghai, Mumbai and addressed but it needs a plan of action. There will be others who will be treading against the bigger better foreigners. That is gramme to develop the locals. in Singapore the penalties came down That would include coaching at domestic this path and Malaysia is already there. Sri a speck of a contribution when you comwhich was in favor of Sri Lanka. The inferrugby to present the players that is needed Lanka too needs to look in to this as we too pare that the big guns as well as those getence I could make is that they were coached for the country to beat at the top. have foreign players participating in the ting close have players foreign decent play-