SL Head Coach appointed for Rugby

Saturday, 24 May 2025 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Rodney Gibbs

Sri Lanka Rugby Director Inthi Marikar has secured one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most respected coaches to lead the national side into Asia Rugby’s Top 4 competition. Rodney Gibbs, a former All Blacks assistant coach will assume the role of Head Coach of Sri Lankan outfit from 26 May on awards till the AR Top 4 completed.

Current CR and FC and Royal Head Coach, former Taranaki player (2006–07) Dushanth Lewke was appointed as the forwards coach. Lewke’s proven track record in building dominant scrums and breakdown efficiency will mesh seamlessly with Gibbs’s overarching game plan. For the backs, former CR and national team standout Lasintha de Costa will bring his vision and skill-set to bear, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s attack is both dynamic and incisive.

Underpinning these appointments is Marikar’s unwavering belief in structured, high-performance environments. He has overseen the assembly of a 40-player training squad, drawn from across the island, who have already begun rigorous sessions tailored to Gibbs’s philosophies. From core strength and conditioning to intricate phase play, the squad is absorbing a level of expertise previously unseen in Sri Lankan rugby.

The squad is expected to be brought down to 30 before the Koreanen encounter at Racecourse.

This depth will prove invaluable during the high-stakes clashes with South Korea, Hong Kong, and the UAE, each of whom poses distinct tactical challenges. All three teams namely Hong Kong, South Korea and UAE already commenced their trainings overseas and Hong Kong the hot favoured team to win the AR Top 4 already in Australia playing some matches at present. (SJ)

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