Sri Lanka in Group ‘B’ of Asian Rugby Sevens 2017 in Hong Kong

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Sri Lankan Sevens rugby outfit, which is currently in Nuwara Eliya, will depart for Hong Kong later this month for the first leg of the Asian Sevens 2017 in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong will be the toughest opposition at the Asian Sevens 

They currently occupy second position behind Hong Kong. Sri Lanka will occupy a place in Group B alongside South Korea, Japan and Taipei while defending champions Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and the Philippines will battle it out in Group A.

The Sevens outfit under Dhanushka Ranjan did well to finish second with the Hong Kong outfit acting as the major obstacle for Sri Lanka. With Japan sporting a second string outfit for the competition once again its looks like well-drilled hosts Hong Kong is the team to beat at this event. The first two finishers at this three-leg event in Hong Kong, South Korea and Sri Lanka, will book a place in the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco.

Sri Lanka will play on the opening day of the tournament on 1 September by playing Japan and later in the day will battling it out against Taipei and South Korea. Ranjan, who had a remarkable debut as a skipper, bringing Sri Lanka to second position, is expected to lead the outfit once again.

September 1 and 2 at Kings Park rugby grounds Kowloon, Hong Kong

Group A - Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and the Philippines

Group B - Sri Lanka, South Korea, Japan and Taipei

Sri Lanka vs. Japan (11.00 a.m. Sri Lanka time)

Sri Lanka vs. Taipei (1.30 p.m. Sri Lanka time)

Sri Lanka vs. South Korea (4.22 p.m. Sri Lanka time)