Saturday Nov 16, 2024
Saturday Nov 16, 2024
Saturday, 15 November 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
After last weekend’s shock defeat against Army, Kandy will be looking to make a strong comeback and are at full strength to do so. This will also be the Upcountry club’s first home match and will draw heavy crowd support.
They also have also added Kenyan Sevens specialist Oscar Ouma to the starting line-up. Ouma is one of the world’s best players in the shorter version of the game and could fit into either half of the game. For today’s match, Sri Lanka Sevens skipper Fazil Marija will not take the field due to his injury in the match agains Army.
The fly half’s position will be taken over by Damian Ratwatte with Quinton Crocker moving to first centre. Ouma will occupy the flanker’s berth. Kandy’s forwards are led by skipper Sean Wijesinghe who boasts of a wealth of experience at the club and national level.
Their hooker, Damith Dissanayake, will be fully tested with his throw-in from line-outs as well as his loose play. The three-quarter line is full of national players. Fazil Marija, Anurudha Wilwara and Lavanga Perera are playing at their best bu Pradeep Liyanage could be substituted at any given time. Fullback Nigel Ratwatte played an excellent game against Army and Air Force and is expected to be the last man in defence.
Although losing to CR&FC, Havies are no pushovers. They have an outstanding three-quarter line. If given the space, Kandy will be in deep trouble. They have national players Dhanushka Ranjan, Dulaj Perera, Shehan Pathirana, Sudarshan Muthuthanthri and Sandun Herath. Referee Morris Butler from the UAE will be the game’s official.
