In its series ‘know your tuskers’ ThePapare.com caught up with Dinusha Chathuranga, a Former Sri Lanka under 19 skipper (2008), National development squad captain (2011), Center and Wing, CR&FC and Navy SC
Today you are representing the senior national rugby team. Tell us how you felt when you first got to know you were picked for the national squad?
I was first selected for the Under 19 national team in 2008 when I was still schooling. I was the school rugby captain for Under 13, Under 17 and Under 19 teams. So I got the opportunity to captain Under 19 national team as well. Since then I was building confidence that I’ll be able to make it to the senior tuskers’ pool as well. Speaking of the moment when I got to know that I had made the side – I felt more like a dream coming true. Though I was confident getting to know for sure that fulfilled my aim and will get to play alongside the seniors I look up to was amazing. I still recall that moment as a great achievement.
You were once the captain of Under19 national team. Share with us some of the tough sides you had to face as the captain?
I love stepping into tough matches they build spirit and are really exciting. At the end of the day I think one becomes a rugby player because he likes to take challenges and push to extreme levels. On to the tough sides, Hong Kong and Japan are always challenging. Back home, Kandy is a strong side and it’s always exciting to play against them.
Starting off at a young age what can you say about the support you got from your family to start rugby?
It was my uncle Mr. Susil Ananda who played the key role in motivating me to play rugby. At the start he took me to matches and since then he was always there for me. He watches my play and adds valuable comments. I think getting advice from someone whose close to you helps a lot to succeed, especially in the younger days. I went on to become the captain of the Under 13 team thanks to that immense support. He pushed me to my maximum limits. Family backed me too as they knew I was performing well in the sport but till then it was my uncle who had faith in me.
Any serious injuries you recall in your rugby career?
The most depressing injury was my spine. The repercussions of the injury weren’t limited to the physical damage. I lost my position in the national team which was about to take a 15s side to the Asian 5nations. But I was cautious and waited patiently till I recovered. I learned a lot from that incident and it was for the best after all since now I know to take precautions before a league.
Wait, since you mentioned this was a combination of physical and mental injury, can you speak of the most mentally stressful incident in your rugby career?
I like to recall an emotional moment from school life. Once I was captaining the under 19 team I lost five of my team mates. One of them passed away. The others were not allowed to play since their parents were strict with their studies as the O/L examination was closing up. As the captain of the team this was the biggest stress I had to bear. How do you face an opposition without five of your best? I had to hold up team moral and change my approach towards the tournament.
When you look back what do you think of the decisions you made back then? Do you think you did things right or are there things you could have done better?
Considering the amount of experience I had back then I think it was the best I could do. I had to fake emotions and keep the team spirit high with rest of the players. I got lot of advice from seniors and my coach. But most importantly I had to face the pressure and I think I did my best.
Can you speak about some of your best performances?
I am always working to give my level best to the sport. Well technically I can point out a match played in school days. It was vs. St. Anthonys in 2007 and I was able to score 4 tries. Yet I think as a captain there is much more than tries when it comes to performance. It’s also about managing the team and getting the right person to achieve their target. Coming to the present, as a participant of the Asian 5 nations tournament, I perform my best within my experience. I think the 2007 incident cannot be justified on these grounds.
Any coaches you think deserve a ‘hats off’ for outstanding training?
I believe all my coaches are equally important and deserve gratitude for what I’ve become today. However my personal choices are the legendary coaches Sanath Matis and Hisham Abdeen. As we are on the subject of people who I gained a lot from, I’d like to add Fazil Marija too to that list. Though he is not a coach I used to take his playing into note and improve through that.
Give us an idea about how Rugby shaped your personal life? What’s your opinion on family life?
Since it had been a long time since I started playing I really can’t picture what my personality might have been if not for rugby. Still on the subject, I guess I have become responsible and forward thinking. Being a captain really helped me a lot to step up in real life situations. Moving on the family life I think I should be a bit more responsible before stepping into a married life. And right now my focus is the sport and I believe we as a country have a lot to achieve in rugby.
I figure that you have spent most of your school days as the captain of the rugby team. Lastly tell us how you contributed with your leadership?
As a captain I viewed my accountabilities rather differently. When it comes to rugby it’s not only about your performance or management but also the outcome of different players. I always wanted to make my team mates better players. That is an odd task but I think I was successful. Rugby players that played under my captaincy are doing amazingly well today; for example, Sajith Saranga, Vishwamithra Jayasinghe, Rizah Mubarak and Srinath Suriyabandara. I am convinced that I stood up to my responsibilities.
