Super Round set to ignite title race as Kandy and CR lead Cup charge

By Shamseer Jaleel

The much looked forward Super Round of Sri Lanka’s Inter Club Rugby League will kick off this weekend, raising the intensity as the competition Now divided into the Cup and Plate segments. Importantly all points collected during the initial round will be carried forward.

The Cup segment in Super Round will feature the top four teams while the bottom four will contest the Plate trophy. With no clear favoured teams next three weeks will see some top class encounters been worked off.

Red Shirts, head into the Super Round at the summit of the Cup standings. They have been the most consistent outfit so far, suffering just one defeat a narrow loss to CH and FC. Their structured approach, depth across positions and strong set-piece execution make them early favourites to challenge for silverware. The coaching staff should be applauded for their blooding of youngsters into the playing XV. Dushanth Lewke heads the unit.

Just one point behind CR are the defending champions Kandy SC, who have recorded one defeat and one draw in a competitive first round. Kandy’s campaign has drawn admiration, particularly for their commitment to local talent, as they remain the only club not to field a foreign player this season, player development and rugby culture. But the Up-country club the most successful in the recent past having accumulated the league for more than 25 times in the last three decades. Kandy has included many youngsters in to the starting XV with Fazil Marija heading the unit.

CH and FC occupy third place in the Cup standings after a mixed opening round that saw them lose to Havelock SC and draw with Kandy. Despite the inconsistency, CH possess the attacking flair and tactical maturity to upset any side on their day, making them a dangerous contender as the Super Round unfolds. Rohitha Rajapakse is their Head Coach.

Havelock SC complete the Cup lineup in fourth position. The Park Club have already shown their ability to challenge top opposition, having defeated CH, but losses to Kandy and CR have left them with ground to make up. Their trademark physicality and pace out wide will be key weapons moving forward. Saliya Kumara looks after the Park Club boys.

The opening weekend of the Super Round promises blockbuster encounters, beginning with the traditional CR and FC vs Havelock clash at Havelock Park. Meanwhile, Kandy SC will face CH and FC at the Racecourse Grounds in what could be a defining early fixture for the Cup title race.

In the Plate segment, Air Force SC will start as clear favourites after narrowly missing out on a Cup berth. They lead the Plate standings, followed by Police SC and Army SC, with Navy SC also in the mix. Air Force’s discipline and game management give them a strong edge in this segment. Sadly, last year’s debutants Sri Lions, as they were placed ninth, were put on the receiving end due to some inconsistent officiating at the centre. Sri Lanka Rugby will bring two overseas referees for the Super Round Cup encounters.

Plate fixtures will see Air Force take on Navy at Welisara, while Army host Police at Panagoda. With pride, ranking points and momentum at stake, the Plate competition is expected to be fiercely contested despite being outside the main title race.

While both trophies remain up for grabs, CR and Kandy SC appear best placed to challenge for the Cup, though Kandy face the added challenge of playing all three Super Round fixtures in the Colombo heat. Air Force, meanwhile, look the team to beat in the Plate, setting the stage for a compelling and unpredictable second round of club rugby action.