“There is more people here playing rugby than back in New Zealand” – Linda Itunu

One of the most experienced players in the New Zealand women’s (Black Ferns) team, Linda Itunu has taken over her first international coaching task with the Sri Lanka women’s rugby team. Linda made her debut in the international game, when she was just 18 years old, for the Black Ferns against the World XV.

The loose forward was a member of New Zealand’s 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads and was also a part of the 2013 World Cup Sevens team where the Black Ferns were triumphant.

The Sri Lanka women’s sevens team finished at the bottom of the table in the concluded Asian sevens series last year. Therefore, they will be playing the promotional battle on the 20th & 21st of February in India along with  Guam, India, Nepal, South Korea, and Indonesia. Sri Lanka has to win this series in order to qualify for the Asian sevens series which will be held later this year.

 

Previously it was Chandreshan Perera who was in charge of the team since 2012 at the 1st leg of Asia sevens series in 2015, then he was replaced by Katherine (Kat) Merchant, World Cup winner with England. Kat toured with the Lankan lasses to the Asian sevens 2nd leg (Japan) and the Olympic qualifier in Hong Kong. However, Kat could not commit to  training the team for this tournament in February due to her engagements in England.

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