Sri Lanka’s Asia Rugby dream ends: Wake-up call for revival of rugby

Tuesday, 8 July 2025 05:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Hishan Welmilla

Sri Lanka’s campaign in the Asia Rugby Championship came to a disappointing end after a hard-fought 29-21 defeat to the United Arab Emirates in their final qualifier match last week. Having already suffered losses to Korea and Hong Kong, this defeat seals Sri Lanka’s exit from the tournament, leaving many to reflect on what exactly went wrong.

Results tell the story

Sri Lanka’s journey began with high hopes but quickly unraveled:

nVs Korea: A close yet heart-breaking 38-34 loss in a game where Sri Lanka showed attacking flair but defensive lapses cost them.

nVs Hong Kong: A heavy defeat that exposed serious gaps in fitness, game management, and forward dominance.

nVs UAE: A must-win game, but despite moments of brilliance, Sri Lanka fell short once again, largely due to tactical mistakes and inconsistency.

Key issues behind Sri Lanka’s downfall

1. Lack of defensive discipline

Throughout the tournament, Sri Lanka conceded far too many points, particularly from broken play and set-pieces. Missed tackles, poor defensive positioning, and late reaction to opposition moves were recurring themes.

2. Inexperience in game management

Against Korea and UAE, Sri Lanka had scoring opportunities but failed to convert crucial phases into points. A lack of calm leadership during pressure situations led to rushed decisions and turnovers at critical moments.

3. Fitness and physicality gap

While Sri Lanka displayed flashes of speed and attacking rugby, they were outmatched in terms of physicality by stronger opponents like Hong Kong and UAE. In the final quarters of matches, Sri Lanka visibly faded, unable to keep up with the relentless pressure.

4. Forward pack struggles

Rugby matches are often won up front, and Sri Lanka’s forwards were second best throughout the tournament. Opponents dominated scrums, lineouts, and breakdowns, preventing the backline from getting quality ball.

5. Preparation and depth concerns

Questions must also be asked about Sri Lanka’s preparation. Compared to their Asian rivals, Sri Lanka seemed undercooked. Squad depth was also lacking; when injuries hit, there were few experienced replacements to call upon.

Silver linings

nDespite the setbacks, there were positive signs:

nThe team showed attacking flair, particularly in the game against Korea.

nPasindu Bandara and several young players showed promise for the future.

nThe narrow margins in some matches suggest that with better preparation, Sri Lanka can close the gap.

The way forward

If Sri Lanka rugby is to rise again in Asia, a serious overhaul is needed:

nInvest in grassroots and player development

nImprove fitness and conditioning programs

nEnhance tactical coaching and match simulation training

nBuild squad depth with more international exposure

This tournament wasn’t just about losses — it was a loud reminder that Sri Lanka can no longer rely on natural talent alone. The rest of Asia is evolving fast, and unless Sri Lanka matches that pace with professional planning, the gap will only widen.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka’s Asia Rugby 2025 campaign has ended, but the lessons it brings are invaluable. The question is — will the authorities listen, or will this be yet another missed opportunity?

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