Fielding second string backfires for Lankans

Rugby

Number 8 Dahan Wickremarachchi scored the only try for Sri Lanka

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Sri Lanka rugby team suffered a huge 50-10 defeat at the hands of New Zealand Under-85kg played for the Sir Graham Henry Trophy at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium last Sunday.

It was expected to be a close contest, but the decision to field a second-string Sri Lankan side backfired spectacularly for the national selectors who were trying to give exposure to the youngsters even before knowing the opponents’ strength and weaknesses. 

It would have been ideal to field the best side and try out options in the second game which could have given the players the much-needed confidence. 

These two games were scheduled before the Asia Rugby Top 4 which will take place in Colombo when Sri Lanka host the UAE and South Korea before touring to Hong Kong.

From the outset, New Zealand asserted their dominance in both territory and possession. Their superior fitness, tactical awareness, and structured play left the young Sri Lankan side chasing shadows. 

Within the first quarter, the visitors had raced to a comfortable lead, capitalising on basic defensive errors and poor decision-making by the hosts. 

The Sri Lankan outfit lacked a proper plan. Once ball in hand, they tried to kick and give away possession, which allowed the visitors to attack and score at will. 

The New Zealand third rowers were outstanding, both in attack as well in defence. Josh Pordon, Josh Gellert and Pasia Asiata were omnipresent and gave enough headaches for the young Sri Lankan outfit who ran out of ideas when in possession with the ball.

The Sri Lankan selectors made a controversial call by resting several senior players including Heshan Jensen, Lasindu Karunathilake, Danushka Ranjan, Dinal Ekanayake, Tharindu Chathuranga and Mursheed Doray. 

While the intention was to give younger players valuable exposure, the gamble cost Sri Lanka dearly as the lack of cohesion and experience was glaringly obvious against an organised New Zealand side who were well-drilled and clinical.

Despite the result, there were bright spots in the Sri Lankan performance, particularly among the forwards. Number 8 Dahan Wickremarachchi was a standout, carrying strongly and defending tirelessly throughout. 

His back-row partner, Nizran Nilar, also impressed with his work rate and physicality at the breakdown, constantly trying to disrupt the Kiwi rhythm.

In the backs, scrum half Mohamed Rifan showed flashes of brilliance. Small and elusive, Rifan kept the New Zealand defence guessing with his snipes around the fringes and sharp passing, never scared to go on in his own though very small he made it up with top class skill under his belt. 

Kavindu Perera and Shaahid Zumri in the three-quarter line provided brief moments of attacking promise, threatening with their pace and footwork but lacked consistent support from the rest of the backline.

Defensively, Sri Lanka struggled for much of the match. The initial backline lacked shape and communication, allowing New Zealand to break the gain line with ease. However, the introduction of veteran Srinath Sooriyabandara at full back made a significant impact. 

His organisational skills and calm presence helped shore up the team’s defence, limiting the visitors’ scoring opportunities in the third quarter.

The third quarter turned out to be Sri Lanka’s best phase of the game. With better defensive alignment and increased aggression in the tackle area, they managed to keep New Zealand scoreless for a prolonged period. 

This brief resurgence also saw them score a well-constructed try, showcasing the potential this squad possesses when operating with better structure and intensity.

However, the final quarter exposed Sri Lanka’s fitness levels and mental fatigue. New Zealand, relentless in their execution, ran in a flurry of late tries to seal the game emphatically. 

The 50-10 scoreline was a fair reflection of the visitors’ dominance and the hosts’ tactical and selection errors.

This performance leaves the Sri Lankan selectors with much to ponder ahead of the second match in Colombo on May 10 under lights at the Racecourse Grounds. The importance of fielding the strongest available lineup cannot be overstated, especially when facing a disciplined side like New Zealand, even at a weight-restricted level. Though this is a development tour they will need to place the best available players.

With the Sir Graham Henry Trophy on the line, Sri Lanka must regroup quickly, make bold yet informed changes, and look to restore pride on home soil. 

The crowd will once again turn up in numbers, hoping for a stronger, more competitive showing from a side that still holds promise but needs the right leadership and selection to realise its potential.