We need foreign referees: Inthi Marikar

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former Trinity rugby Lion, Sri Lanka fifteens and sevens player, CR & FC and Kandy SC player who is the current ‘Red Shirts’ Head Coach Inthi Marikar feels if Sri Lankan rugby is to improve and go to the next level, the country will need to get down foreign referees for League and Clifford Cup games.

Marikar told the Daily FT: “All will agree how well the Clifford Cup knock out tournament was worked off this year. It was open play and allowed the game to flow, both the players and spectators enjoyed to the maximum, even the sponsors got their funds’ worth. The standard of rugby in the three-week tournament was above average compared to the league which concluded early this year. Some of the tries which were scored at the Clifford Cup were simply brilliant, I would say close to ITM standard in New Zealand – there were many long range tries from inside their own 22 meters with the referee allowing advantage and also communicated well with the players. The players knew what they were doing and avoided many mistakes. This will allowed the players too to think, play and improve their skills. Clear communication by the overseas referees helped out players to perform at their best.”

Marikar continued: “Some of our players suffered during the Inter Club League season due to poor decision making by the referees; as a result, players were kept from their starting positions, as they were regularly penalised for doing the right thing, this was very frustrating for many players who were good at the breakdown points. However the ones who had to be penalised were not. We raised this with some referees as well as with the Referees Society. One point is that local guys too will learn from the way the overseas referees allow the game to flow.”

“It’s good if the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) assists in this manner in order to develop Sri Lankan rugby and take it to the next level. Instead of insisting on foreign players, we should get foreign referees for the total league top games and identify about two quality local referees to work with them. We can also have the other local referees to run touch and on their performance to promote or relegate in the ongoing tournament. This would definitely benefit local rugby and national rugby at large.”

A top and knowledgeable coach, Marikar concluded: “I am sure my feedback will be taken on a positive note by the governing body SLRFU to see a well-balanced League and Clifford Cup in 2016/2017 for all players, clubs, governing body and the sponsors. In the end we will rise up not only in our rugby but also our ranking will improve globally.”