All arrangement have been made for the 2014 edition of the Carlton Super Sevens tournament as the much anticipated event in the Sri Lanka rugby calendar kicks off on August 8th at Koggala with the participation of 10 teams.
The Eagles from the Eastern province are eagerly waiting to soar in Galle and also in Colombo to show their true talents.
History
Eastern Eagles’ tale has always been underperforming throughout the past as they failed on many occasions to finish off games which were within their reach. Eastern Eagles ended as the 9th placed team during the last year’s international tournament. Eagles have given priority to young players in order for them to develop their rugby 7s skills. England’s try scoring machine Simon Hunt once represented as the Eastern Eagles overseas player. Former English 7s legend, Russell Earnshaw acted as the Eastern Eagles coach in 2012.
Captain (Thusitha Samarathilake)
Havelock SC center Thusitha Samarathilake has been named as the Eastern Eagles captain. The dashing center-three quarter was brilliant for the park club during the last couple of seasons and he made his presence felt when Havelock SC won the league title in 2013. Thusitha is a terrific leader and his sound knowledge of the game will be the key to the success of his team. His defense rate during 7s matches are up to the mark and he will be keen to continue the good form he found during the local tournament.
Coaching Staff and Franchise Owners
Trusted finance giant, Nation Lanka Finance PLC owns the Eastern Eagles franchise and the 35-year old Tongan national player Hale T Pole has been given the duty of coaching the Eastern Eagles team. Hale T Pole represented Havelock SC during the 2013/14 inter-club league and he will take the field for Eastern Eagles if needed. True Servant of Havelock SC and Sri Lankan Rugby, Rajeewa Perera, Former Peterite forward will be multi-tasking as the assistant coach and the team manager of the Eastern Eagles.
Foreign Players
Eagles have signed up four Fijians and two Samoan players to make up their foreign brigade. Sevens specialist Lio Lolo made his name on the sevens circuit representing Samoa in the IRB sevens series since 2007 and he was a part of the champion Samoan sevens team in the 2009/10 IRB sevens series. Fijian Emosi Vucago plays as a half-back in the 15s format and as a halfback/fly-half in the 7s edition and he can be a real potent threat to any opposition with the possession of the ball. 29-year-old Apisalome Waqatabu is a strong Fijian center who has represented Fiji in many international 7s tournaments.
Local Players
Speed Merchant Chamara Dabare will be the chief in charge of Eagles surge as he is one of the fastest wingers presently in Sri Lanka. Long hair and nippy footwork makes him attractive to the crowds and his exciting style of play will be vital for the Easterners. Experienced play maker Mohammed Sheriff will be the main cog for the Eagles as he brings his attacking and defensive play quite brilliantly in the shorter format of the game. Former Peterite duo Dulaj Perera and Banuka Nanayakkara will look to link up and make their set moves to the best of ability while the former Josephian and Havelock SC utility player Rehan Thiyagarajah will be used at different positions as the time demands.
Local Leg Performance
Eastern Eagles finished as the 6th placed team in Kurunegala with 11 points while they beat Southern Sharks to end their Beliatta campaign as the 5th positioned team. Speedster Chamara Dabare was most impressive player for the Eagles.
Full Squad
Thusitha Samarathilake (Captain)
Chamara Dabare
Mohammed Sheriff
Lahiru Gunasinghe
Arshad Jamaldeen
Shashika Jayawardene
Gayantha Iddamalgoda
Rehan Thiyagarajah
Dulaj Perera
Bhanuka Nanayakkara
Jone Tuitago
Viliame Mata
Lolo Lio
Emosi Vucago
Reupena Levasa
Apisalome Waqatabu
