Two Kandy players Anruddha Wilwara and Lavanga Perera and Havelock third row forward Shehan Pathirana failed to find a birth in the Hong Kong sevens touring squad that was finalized yesterday.
Hong Kong Sevens which is the seventh leg of the World Sevens series will be played from March 28 to 30. Union has picked the final 12-member squad out of 15 players that were chosen on last Friday.
It was a surprise move by the selection committee after omitting ex Royal captain Shehan Pathirana who was a regular member of the last year national sevens squad that finished third in the Asian sevens series.
Havelock centre Danushka Ranjan will don the national jersey for the first time, while Kandy centre Gayan Weeraratne and Navy third row forward Yoshitha Rajapaksa were recalled after a few years on the sidelines now managing to secure their position in the tour party.
According to Coach Nilufer Ibrahim, Danushka Ranjan is a good defender and this is a good opportunity for him to cement his place in the national team.
Ibrahim believed the team to be in good hands with a perfect blend of young talent and experienced players.
Unfortunately Sri Lanka will miss three injured forwards Sajith Saranga, Chula Susantha and Jeson Dissanayake, but coach Ibrahim is confident on current combination of forwards Shenal Dias, Sudharshan Muthuthanthri, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Gayan Weeraratne.
He noted getting Shenal Dias is also a huge advantage for the side. Dias who was in USA for higher education purposes will join the team on March 22. Team is expected to depart early on March 24th to have a few training sessions in Hong Kong before the main event.
But, Ibrahim is worried about player’s physical condition in preparation for one of the best Sevens tournament in the world.
“This is just after the15-a-side rugby season and it is too hard for players. From last year’s Asian sevens series some players in Fazil Marija, Sandun Herath, Mithun Hapugoda, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Dinusha Chathuranga, Saliya Kumara and Nigel Ratwatte are still continuing to play without a break.
Touring squad- Danushka Ranjan, Sandun Herath , Sudharshan Muthuthanthri , Mithun Hapugoda and Shenal Dias (Havelocks), Dinusha Chathuranga and Yoshitha Rajapaksa (Navy) Forward, Fazil Marija (captain), Saliya Kumara and Gayan Weeraratne (Kandy), Nigel Ratwatte and Srinath Sooriyabandara (Upcountry Lions).
