Ranjan leads Sri Lanka for World Rugby Sevens Hong Kong qualifier

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former Peterite and Kandy Sports Club player Dhanushka Ranjan retained his captaincy in the shorter version of the game at next month’s World Rugby Sevens Qualifier 2017 at the Hong Kong Stadium from 7-9 April.

Ranjan, who had a grand debut season for double champions Kandy, was unstoppable, emerging as the highest try scorer in the inter-club league. Ranjan was appointed skipper for the national Sevens team at the Asian Sevens 2016, where Sri Lanka finished second behind a very physical Hong Kong.

Former Sri Lanka Sevens skipper Fazil Marija and Anurudha Wilwara will return to the squad from injury along with Anuradha Herath of CR&FC. Both Reza Rafiadeen (Police SC) and Kavindu Perera (CR&FC) were not considered for selection due to injuries that will keep them out of action for one month. Former Isipathana and CR&FC player Omalka Gunaratne was dropped from the final 12. 

The Sri Lankan outfit will depart to Hong Kong on 2 April, giving them time to acclimatise to the cooler conditions in Hong Kong. From the 12 players, Kandy will contribute eight.

Sri Lanka will play Chile (10.58 a.m. SL time) and hosts Hong Kong (2.20 p.m. SL time) on day one and Namibia (7.58 am SL time) on the following day. 

Speaking to Daily FT, Ranjan said: “This is an important tour and we are playing on the world stage. All the other 11 teams are almost of the same standard. We want to perform well and move to the next round. The return of Fazil and Wilwara gives us lot of confidence with their Sevens exposure in Asia, which is an added advantage for us. We had good training sessions with our new coach Peter Woods and this is a good foundation for the Asian Sevens 2017 which will see us playing in Hong Kong, South Korea and Sri Lanka in the three-leg event.” 

“We will leave early in two days’ time, which gives us time to adjust before kick-off on 7 April.”

Touring squad

Dhanushka Ranjan (Captain), Jason Dissanayake, Suhiru Anthony, Richard Dharmapala, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Danushka Dayan, Fazil Marija and Anurudha Wilwara (all from Kandy), Anuradha Herath (CR&FC) Sudharshana Muthuthanthri, Kevin Dixon (Havelocks) and Saliya Handapangoda (Navy).

Head Coach - Peter Woods