Greetings rugby islanders and determined union friendly hearts who were stunned into silence along with our pundits in sunny Sri...
Too much has happened to even blink and imagine it’s a dream ...glad to see the experts and pundits club...hoping for... and not calculating some miracle.
Who in their wildest imagination ...would have thought that Japan could hold sharper France to a draw....and that at home. In our Dialog league...CR struggling against a rapidly improved Army side?
All this is now fabulous history and the shocks still reverberating....Japan quite famously drew 23-all with France ... to confound all experts, both at home in their social media armchairs, and further across the big pond in France itself..
I am looking forward to the media frenzy about the result and so much more of the Eddie Jones syndrome.
Japan’s remarkable rugby reputation has been phenomenal since the last world cup, when they ran at South Africa from all corners...eventually beating the Springboks and re-writing history ...this was the Jones intravenous ..
The draw shows us Asian islanders...that our impossible dream has a firm realistic basis ...and what a tantalizing prospect to contemplate..!
Add what Army did to CR in their Dialog league meeting ...that had our resident pundits, running for cover and trying desperately hard to blend in? Army are vastly improved and enormously impressive...considering these boys do not hail from traditional rugby stables...and are only introduced to the game, once in the service ...it’s astounding ...and credit to their structure. Big Hand indeed.
A heartbroken CH could only.look.at themselves as they were generous to a fault ...gifting Havelocks a famous but shaky win at Racecourse. Amazing to see 7/25 half time to Havies...and a confident Martis, telling the boys to stay with the plan ...let the big boiler 8, ruck and maul it up the park...then Dulaj can set their backs off ...Nishon, Hirantha, Dabare, Reza Mubarak and Dixon ...hungrier than ever.
CH and coach Lagga certainly had words about playing with heart ...and less watching...as they did in the 1st half...being a little soft. But that chat did it ..12mins to full time CH stormed back ...warmed my heart to see that appetite to compete....suddenly it was 26/25 to CH ...my mind raced to famous victories at Maitland...can the boys led by a marauding Yoshita, and the kicking Samuel plus the sharpest Keegle...take them home? Alas it almost happened ...but it was inexperience and few nervous mistakes, that handed Reza the chance to edge Havies the big W ...31/26 ...and the sweetest W taken from CH.
All said ...watch out for this CH side as they get fully fit, strengthen that front row, let Sathya, Hendry, and Saranga settle ...with Keegle, Warren, Herath and Samuel able to finish from all corners...not forgetting Sasanka’s running yards and sweeping tackles...all in all...CH is back in style!
Kandy cruised home again with a dominant 50 points on the board ...and top the table too with plenty bonus points at their cauldron. Wilewara back playing is leading the try scoring with 6, and full back. Thilina the lead points in the league.
Navy didn’t quite have their way against Police at Welisara...only some solid defence from their backrow, getting them home and another decent run out for the blue stripes ...who are definitely the side to watch as the season heads for X’mas. Danushka, Gertha as captain leading by example and clattering the opposition with much efficiency is top form and excellent teamwork.
A note of caution to all players about wearing mouth guards as standard kit ...and sensible protection for the duration. My thoughts were prompted by an unforgettable and unfortunate clash of bodies in a head on tackle ...it was Kutty Dixon on the wing ...who came off worst ...and had the medical team led by the efficient Dr Kiriella...secure the broken jaw ...we all heard the clap of head and shoulder...and my memory clocked it with alarming speed ...having dislocated the very same at Havelocks ...years ago ...but still too real for my liking ...Dixon needed stitches, wire and surgery..I got away with a careful nudge back into place ...my mouth guard stopping the impact from broken teeth, concussion, and more...
Advise to all ...ideal to get players with mouth guard during all contact and match situations...safer is miles better than the alternatives and time in play ...hugely better than x’rays, hospital and post surgery.
Internationally no big shocks except for Scotland grinding Australia to a famous victory ...which left the Wallabies stunned ...just as much as France with that draw against Japan.
New Zealand and England winning easily and little to fuss about their dominance in world rugby...Ireland also still up on the ranks and very much in contention...
But the hills are echoing with that thumping 53 points that ignited Scottish hearts worldwide...many jars were raised for sure ...plus a few gallons of rice brew as the Japanese celebration stepped up around the islands...and plenty to chat about how close to a victory against France...the 23-all draw ...all but forgotten.
History Indeed!
Match card as December opens:
1st Friday: CH v Police 4pm Police Park, Army v Air Force 4pm Welisara
2nd Dec: CR v Kandy 4pm Longdon Place, Havelocks v Navy 4pm Ratmalana
Autumn international:
South Africa v Wales 8pm.
That’s the big card this weekend, as we welcome December and all those wonderful traditions ...a grand time for sharing this season.
Take care to note match kickoffs and cable/satellite broadcast times ...so you don’t miss out etc..
Our local games are well profiled via the papare.com sports net casts ...good team too with Saabir, Shanaka, and Paul etc ...keeping those rugby appetites on max recall ...which means global access and joyous Sri islanders fans wherever they choose to call home.
Have a fab break and catch you next Thurs. Cheers the Sri season 2017/18.
Aloha!
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