Super 4 Teams + Super Round = Super Rugby

The ‘cream of the crop’ in Schools Rugby are all set to clash in the most electrifying and much awaited final two weeks, to conclude what has been a scintillating League full of surprises and upsets. There is no doubt that the venues will be packed to the brim, while the best seats are already taken by 3 p.m. 

Apart from the three usual suspects that make it to the Super Round almost every year, we have a new welcome entrant, who has managed to take SL Schools Rugby by storm this year, thanks to their evangelist Coach Srinath Sooriyabandara, who has infused a fresh sense of rugby and energy, into almost the same team of yesteryear, who were struggling to achieve their full potential. Although they cannot win the League this year, they have a theoretical chance of being runners-up, backed by the support of all the neutrals who have been captivated by their game.

Although Royal College suffered two close defeats this season, they have the potential and skillset to beat any team in the League, thus pose the greatest threat to the unbeaten Green Machine, and stand tall on their way to stardom.

Though yet unbeaten, the Bamba Brigade is two points behind its neighbours across Havelock Road, and is also well equipped to overpower the power of Pathana. They will undoubtedly give their everything to lay their hands on the Cup, after quite some time.

Having won all 6 matches with bonus points, Panther like Pathans leads the table with 36 points. With Joes going through a bad patch this season, the Greens never faced a strong opponent who could match up, or challenge them in Round 1. Now, they face two daunting heavyweights who are fully fledged to put an abrupt end to their winning streak! Although Isipathana was able to overcome two sides with heavy and strong Forwards in their Group games, they are yet to be challenged by teams with brawny but fast Forwards, and the final two weeks will dish out fast-paced tail chasers for all Rugby fanatics to adrenalise.

Below I dissect and investigate the dynamic tactics and contrasting skill sets that each pair of teams possess, in the semi-final week of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2023.

St. Peter’s vs St. Anthony’s at SPC Grounds on 11 Aug:

The Eagles will more or less face a repeat of the Isipathana encounter they had a few weeks ago, but this time having to chase, grab or tackle more tangible limbs, with near similar capabilities. Yet, this would be more challenging than the Isipathana game, as they would have to deal with the Peter’s Forwards in addition, in case they choose to employ them. Nevertheless, SPC seems quite content in playing with their Backs alone.

SACK has been impeccable in ball handling all season, except in the last two games against Kingswood and STC, and would want to get a handle on it for this match. Their biggest obstacle that has been holding them back were infringements, that has been averaging 14 per game, and has to be brought down adequately, in order to give themselves a chance to compete; otherwise, its destined to be a reiteration of the Pathana ordeal.

SACK has shown that they have new tricks up their sleeves from time to time, but it is unlikely for them to succeed more than once with each new trick, under the watchful Hawk eyes of Coach Sanath Martis. Their ploy to rotate the maul against stronger opponents, and spin off a mini maul to score Tries, has been already spotted and foiled by Martis and his Men. Sahan’s touch kicking brilliance may have gotten them at least a Try with this play, if Anthony’s hadn’t revealed this skill in their last game against STC. Let’s hope that there are more tricks and skill-plays to come from the Katugasthota lads, that they will expose one per quarter, before they are recognised and neutralised during the breaks.

The Peterites have now learnt to put their short punts to good effect, but most importantly, they now seem to understand when not to use them, which makes them quite fatal, making this relatively an easy game, especially considering their recent form in running the ball, and Martis’ ability to quickly react and respond to fresh game tactics by the oppositions. Regardless, this game is guaranteed to showcase some excellent skill-plays by both teams, and one can bet that SACK will not take SPC’s onslaughts lying down!

Royal vs Isipathana at Royal Complex on 12 Aug:

Isipathana Rugby will face its ultimate trial this season, when the Panthers take on the pitiless Titans of the League, who are much fiercer, heavier and teethier. Pathana will finally play a worthy opponent this season, who can either equal or better their ‘gèma’, hence this encounter is NOT the one to be missed!

Royal will look to weigh down heavily on the light weight Greens with their revitalised Forwards during most part of the game. Having retained the Bradby Shield, they will focus completely on this game, and to win back the Milroy Fernando Trophy that they lost last year. It wouldn’t be surprising if Royal plays the entire game with its Forwards, while employing its Backs primarily to tackle and win back possession, which is in turn, fed to the former. Thus, you might find the Royal Backs contesting the Rucks, more often than not. If Wesley was able to advance 40 plus meters, repeatedly, using pick ‘n drive phases within a few minutes, one cannot wait to watch what the Tuskers could accomplish with the supremacy of their Muscles! Remember that they have the stamina to carry this out, all 70 minutes, and starve the Panthers of any action.

RC comprehending the prime reason for their defeat in the 1st Leg of the Bradby, came back clean on the 2nd with minimum infringements. However, their unforced handling errors, although not too bad in their last game, could potentially reach alarming highs, if not consciously eradicated during practices. 

Their Forwards have not had a successful year in the lineouts this season, possibly due to the physical challenges in defying gravity to attain greater altitudes, with their sheer mass. Inversely, Isipathana has been masters of turnovers, especially at the lineouts, and would definitely turnover a handful of them. Combining fouls, spills and lost lineouts alone, Isipathana is expected to regain possession at least 15 times, and they are extremely talented in using every opportunity with ball-in-hand, to encash points as observed in their close encounters last season. This is why the possession percentage game is insufficient against the Greens, hence the Royal Forwards would have to keep rattling the Scoreboard with every opportunity from the word go.

The Panthers are destined to lose their edge if they come as they were in their last outing against Wesley, where they infringed nearly 20 times. They have to restrain fouls to 8 or less when competing with equally capable sides, as they shall be already dominated in the mauls, scrums and rucks, and cannot be expected to turnover on more than a solitary occasion. However, they will try to rule the jumping game, as if their lives depended on it, so as to avoid the Royal maul being formed. The Greens will value every single possession and may not kick the ball away, other than to find touch, deep in their opponent’s territory.