Yoshitha pulls out; Lavanga joins Lankan team for Commonwealth Rugby Sevens

Monday, 21 July 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel Former Sri Lanka Sevens skipper, former Navy SC Captain Yoshitha Rajapakse pulled out of the Commonwealth rugby squad to Glasgow due to his injury sustained at the Carlton Sevens in Beliatta.

He will be replaced by Kandy SC’s star player Lavanga Perera. Lavanga will join the squad in Glasgow next Wednesday (23 July). Lankan team is already in Scotland. According to reliable source two players who are carrying injuries have recovered and are on tour. They are Shenal Dias and Sandun Herath. Last year’s star player at the Asian Sevens Nigel Ratwatte was the only surprise omission from the touring squad. Total of 45 games will be contested across two days on July 26 and 27 of fierce competition at Ibrox Stadium in Scotland in a fast and furious contest which requires teamwork, skill and stamina as two teams with seven athletes on the pitch go toe to toe for glory in games which last just 14 minutes. This will be the story at the Commonwealth Rugby sevens at Glasgow when the New Zealand “All Blacks” go all out to retain their Commonwealth Gold which they safe keep since the inception of the Commonwealth games in Rugby Football. Sri Lanka sevens team face tough task Sri Lankan outfit are led by Fazil Marija who successfully led the national team to number three position in the Asian Rugby Sevens last year, later on qualifying to represent the 38th World famous Hong Kong sevens. Former Science College and Kandy SC winger Richard Dharmapala will be making his sevens debut for Sri Lanka when he tours to Glasgow this month. This year’s Navy SC Centre C Stefano will be the coach of the side. Sri Lanka will find it tough with England and Australia in the same group only chance is with Uganda is also one of the top African rugby playing nation. Team-Fazil Marija (Capt), Shenal Dias, Sandun Herath, Mithun Hapugoda, Sudharshan Muthuthanthri, Lavanga Perera, Richard Dharmapala, Danushka Ranjan, Dinusha Chathuranga, Srinarth Sooriyabandara, Shehan Pathirana and Anurudha Wilvara. Coach is C Stefano of Fiji.