With SLR prioritising 7s: Are ‘Tuskers’ ready for Kiwis mana?

• Critics fear scar tissues 

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) is again set to host the touring New Zealand U85Kg team in a two-match Test series commencing next month following the breakout series 12 months ago.

But the big question will be whether the hosts would be able to turn the series into a competitive one which the previous edition did not become.

The inaugural series played last May which was also the first time a Kiwi national representative side had toured these shores in over 70 years, saw the tourists win the opener 50-10 at Nittawela before posting a 32-6 victory in the return leg in Colombo.

In the first encounter the New Zealanders ran eight tries in a totally lop-sided affair at a packed venue in Kandy, while in the second clash the hosts showed improved defence, but still they succumbed to the visitors' clinical finishing who sealed it in style.

Hence the question that is posed by rugby critics is whether the ‘Tuskers’ have been whipped into shape to match the NZ U85Kg team this time around in what may again become another clean sweep considering the gulf in class between the two sides.

The visitors were restricted to 85kg while the ‘Tuskers’ played as an open-weight national side, with a safety restriction limiting their prop forwards to U85kg.

But, as the two Tests unfolded the Lankans led by the Nigel Ratwatte and Tarinda Ratwatte combo across the series, struggled as expected to mix it with their powerfully-built counterparts from the land of the long white cloud. 

The challenge now according to rugby analysts is how the Dushanth Lewke- coached home team will be able to front up to the physicality of the Kiwis forwards and then manage to contain their pacey outside backs to stand a chance of an upset.

“I would like to see how we (SL) manage to cope with the immense mana (power) of the NZ team,” a rugby critic opined.

“That alone for me will decide winning and losing and on the face of it it's anyone’s guess as to which way this series will head. I only hope that there won’t be any scar tissues for us ahead of the Emirates Series which will follow soon after.”

During last year’s series ex-national coach Sanath Martis controversially axed a few seniors ahead of the first Test against the NZ U85kg team prompting former national captain Priyantha Ekanayake to publicly question the wisdom of such a move.

However, the Tuskers managed to hold their own despite losing both against South Korea (38-34) and UAE (29-21) in the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship in Colombo last year with a runaway 59-19 triumph over Malaysia in a play-off also here before the NZ series.

Sri Lanka’s sole dismal outing was against Hong Kong when they were routed 78-7 away, but this time they are scheduled to host Hong Kong in Colombo on 24 May.

Afterwards they are slated to tackle UAE in Dubai on 5 June and then conclude their campaign against South Korea in Incheon eight days later.

The threat that looms for the ‘Tuskers’ is if they were to be thumped in emphatic fashion by the New Zealanders this May in their own backyard, what it would do to their psyche ahead of the start of the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship. 

SLR have also made no bones of their intention to prioritise Sevens rugby ahead of the 15-man game this season targeting an elusive medal at the Aichi, Nagoya Asian Games in September this year.

In light of such a thinking by the powers that be, as to how the 15-a-side team is able to mount a serious challenge to far superior overseas outfits in the forthcoming season will be worth watching.

Source - The Morning