Rugby, oh Rugby…..

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Rugby graphic

I saw an interesting writing on Facebook the other day, which was based on two parents’ conversation regarding rugby.

One Father could not fathom why the other would invest so much time, effort, and money, just so that his son could run around playing rugby. The other parents response was classic. A simplified and abbreviated version of it is as follows:

He was not paying for his son’s kit, or for his training. Rather, it was an investment he was making to teach his son never to quit when the chips were down, to keep pushing despite the pain and fatigue, to work with others as a unit, and to respect them. To learn to give of your best at all times, yet to be humble in victory, and gracious in defeat. In other words, rugby provided the opportunities to develop attributes that will serve his son throughout his life.

Looking back at my life, I certainly owe a lot to rugby. There were dizzy highs when all went well, but there were also gloomy spells where things just didn’t go your way. However, I can honestly state that I have learnt far more in defeat than in victory. The most important takeaways are the long standing friendships that were made, and the ability to apply the ethos of team work in a professional environment. A decade and a half has passed since those precious match days of lining up with your team mates. However, they will live ever fresh in the memory bank, with quite a few tales split over meet ups.

friendship in rugby

Unfortunately somewhere between then and now, the game, especially at school boy level has got a bit too serious. The result has become the ‘be all, and end all’ of each contest. Not much space for camaraderie it seems. Today school boy ruggerites train like professional athletes, virtually all year round, every day, and even twice a day in some cases. If you don’t, you get left behind. There was one such school with a rich history in the game that failed to ‘move with the times’ not too long ago. They found themselves playing in the ‘B’ division the following year. That is the harsh reality of today. Huge budgets, comprehensive coaching teams, not forgetting the trainers, and physio’s are now a mainstay.  In a certain aspect it is good for the game. It’s pleasing to the eye to see the advancement in technique and quality that is showcased. But it also seems to be at quite a cost.

ThomianThe Bradby played this year saw two teams give it their absolute all. Unfortunately, it will be remembered by most for the wrong reasons. To see the two sides indulging in a melee after such an epic contest was extremely disappointing. It was a situation that could have been averted altogether had the organizers been more alive to the permutations. In any traditional encounter, the challenger has to beat the champion defending the crown, in order to gain it. A draw is not good enough. Simple. Somehow, this was lost on the powers that be. The shield should have been awarded to Nikhila Gunadheera straight away. Having the opposing skipper Rahul Karunathilake on the podium as well was nonsensical.

The ugly face of hooliganism raised its head earlier in the season.

A few weeks prior, a game at Havelock Park saw Isipathana host Science. Isipathana managed to edge out the latter in a tight contest. However, after the match, the referee was set upon, and copped a fair amount of ‘pol toku’ as he made the long journey back to the pavilion. I wonder what would have become of the poor chap had in fact Isipathana slipped to defeat, despite gaining a handsome lead in the first half. I am made to understand that the only sanctions imposed on the host side is that they can no longer play their ‘home’ games at Havelock Park. A pretty lame course of action from a governing body that has long been known to paper over imminent cracks that keep getting wider and wider with time.

It is up to the schools officials to stamp out any form of ill behaviour – from the players, and the supporters alike. Alluding to the opening passages, rugby is one of the best lessons, children could learn from, in preparation for the greater challenges that adult life will throw at them. This privilege must not be abused nor concocted into some vain macho man-brawl.

The long awaited second round commences this weekend, with Royal hosting the under-performing Petes being the pick of the games. The schools season was advanced to March, with a view to give those sitting for their ‘A’ levels more time to prepare. Does it not defeat the purpose when you then impose a three week ‘break’ between the two rounds? Mind boggling to say the least. Now the schools have to play all four of their second round games on the bounce. This is quite a tall order, and will really test the depth of each team’s squad.

There are a few other interesting fixtures. In Pallakele, Trinity play host to Science. The Lions would be disappointed with how their season has gone. They’re a good side when they get it right, and perhaps this will be the perfect opportunity to get their league campaign back on the rails. Science College seem to have lost their sting a bit. They did push Isipathana all the way, but I expected them to pose a stiffer threat.

science

In Mount Lavinia, the high riding Thomians take on St.Anthony’s, who just managed to pip Kingswood at the post, and stay in the ‘Cup’. On paper it looks to be a cake walk for S.Thomas’, but it’s been a while between games, and I would imagine that St.Anthony’s have put that time to good use to sharpen their attacking threat. Expect a few tries to be scored, unless there’s a deluge that nullifies any attempt to shift the ball.

Then on Monday, unbeaten Isipathana face Wesley College at the Royal College Sports Complex. The boys from Havelock Park have impressed me this season. Sans any big names, they play the game at a very high level of intensity, which up to now, their opponents have not been able to cope with. Chamod Fernando has been particularly good with ball in hand. Wesley College had a good outing when they regained the Blaze trophy from Kingswood. They have pushed the bigger sides all the way, and you get the impression that a top notch scalp is not too far away. However, it’ll take their best game to overturn the green shirts. That’ll no doubt be an entertaining watch.

I would like to conclude with an interesting advertisement that I saw on one of my travels. It was from Adidas, which also featured esteemed footballer Lionel Messi. I leave you with those words, which the sporting public should take to heart.

‘WINNING is NOT everything. Even if you win EVERYTHING’