We need to step up and play quality Sevens rugby: Peter Woods

Friday, 1 September 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

After landing in Hong Kong, the Sri Lankan outfit took time to train before the Asian Sevens 2017, which will kick off today at Kings Park Rugby Stadium in Kowloon.

Sri Lanka will feature in the very first game of the day at 11.00 a.m. when they lock horns with Asian giants Japan. Hosts Hong Kong are the defending Asian Sevens champions.

Speaking to Daily FT, Sri Lanka Head Coach New Zealander Peter Woods said: “Losing out on Chandimal in the last minute was a major blow but life goes on. Dixon too played his part at the junior level and the Asian Sevens last year. All the 12 selected on tour proved themselves with their skills plus their fitness level, which was far superior to the levels we had last time. The training session held upcountry helped them with team bonding as they were together for more than seven days. When you compare this team against the last one which played in the Hong Kong Sevens in April 2017, we got only three players who could survive in this squad. This shows that the youngsters have done really well to earn their national jersey and their attitude and fitness have been great. Also now we know the strength and areas to be improved on for each player.”

“ We need to step up and play at a top level with some quality Sevens rugby since all the other teams will be bringing their best possible players as this will serve as the Asian qualification series for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 which will take place in San Francisco.”

Sri Lanka will also play Taipei (1.30 p.m.) and South Korea (4.22 p.m.).

Meanwhile, defending champions Hong Kong had their final squad training in Germany against their Sevens outfit. Kane Boucaut, Jack Neville and three Under-20 players, Hugo Stiles, Seb Brien and Fong Kit-Fung, will make their debut in the shorter version of the game for the hosts. Hong Kong will miss out on the experience of Max Woodward, Lee Ka-to (both in Japan) and the McQueen brothers (in Australia), who have led Hong Kong to many Sevens rugby victories.

Japan too will be fielding their best outfit after finishing sixth last year in the Asian Sevens series as many of their players were involved in the World Rugby Sevens series around the globe. Asian giants Japan had their training in Australia.

Squad

Sudharshana Muthuthanthri (Capt.), Dhanushka Dyan, Sudam Sooriyarachchi, Jason Dissanayake, Omalka Gunaratne, Naveen Heenakankanmge, Tharinda Ratwatte, Kavindu Perera, Buddhima Piyaratne, Sumith Dhanjaya, Hirantha Perera and Kevin Dixon

Head Coach - Peter Woods

High Performance Director Sri Lanka Rugby - Inthi Marikar

Team Manager - Rohan Chinthaka

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

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