Hong Kong China smash Sri Lanka’s World Cup Rugby aspirations with 78-7 thrashing. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
Hong Kong China gave Sri Lanka a Rugby lesson while underlining the recently elevated Tuskers worst held fear that they are not ready to join Rugby Union’s elite.
The fourth game of the round robin play-offs to gain qualification to the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027, showed that Hong Kong China, South Korea and the UAE are better equipped to take the next step as Asian debutants with Sri Lanka lagging far behind after a 78-7 shallacking at the Hong Kong stadium.
The IRB has ventured to expand the world competition by including a second Asian or African qualifier which gives the number one in this competition automatic inclusion while the second placed team is pitted against the top side from Africa 2 to gain the second spot.
Sri Lanka were spirited in their opener in Colombo despite South Korea’s dominance before going down 34-38.
But what was very evident in both games was the Tuskers lack of physical dominance in the scrums and the battle up front where the Koreans, and the mostly heavier expatriate Hong Kong China outmuscling them in a clear mismatch.
Four defeats in convincing manner against Hong Kong China and South Korea, (one each), and two against the “Small Blacks” from New Zealand, highlighted Sri Lanka’s inability to cope up front, a vital aspect for retaining possession which starved their talented backline from providing the impetus to remain competitive.
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The Sri Lankans lacked nothing in skill with their slick ball handling and deceptive forays with their limited possession. But starved of possession and physically beaten in the scrums and loose play gave them little chance of matching it with Asia’s top three.
Lack of enough preparation, the changing of the head coach Sanath Martis, for New Zealander Rodney Gibbs just weeks before the crucial top four competition was a reminder of a disjointed Sri Lanka appearance which was pretty similar to their game style. There was clearly insufficient cohesion in their play. The less than ideal preparation gave Gibbs little time to work with his charges and put a decent game plan together against established and experienced opposition.
Political issues in the administration of Sri Lanka Rugby is believed to undermining its ability to focus on a better program aimed at financially supporting coaches and players representing their country. This, if true, is a serious issue that can affect and impact onfield performance.
UAE have already toppled Hong Kong China in an unexpected result and it eliminates Sri Lanka’s hope of a dream debut against the best in the world. They play Sri Lanka at the Racecourse ground in Colombo next and need to consolidate their position for a crack at qualifying with the top three winning a match apiece.. from their previous outings.
After a promising showing against the South Koreans in Colombo, Sri Lanka were expected to be competitive against Hong Kong China although not expected to win. But the home team were intent on destroying their aspirations and got to work soon after the kick off scoring minutes into the game.
Sri Lanka shocked them with a cleverly executed three-quarter movement stemming from an Adam Gauder feed from a ruck which saw them waltz through the Hong Kong China defence for scrum- half Heshan Jansen making a sizzling run to score.
At 7-7 it was the Lankans last hurrah before Hong Kong China unleashed a try blitz that obliterated the hapless Sri Lankans and consigned them to the stark reality of the gulf that existed between the two teams.
Time and again the mostly European Hong Kong China forwards emphasised their superior strength and physicality by driving Sri Lanka several meters back in the scrums and they were too strong and relentless in the rolling maul to be contained.
It was a clear reminder to Sri Lanka Rugby about the importance of strength and conditioning techniques in a game where possession is key. Sri Lanka’s forwards appeared to be lacking the muscle and body mass for speed and flexibility compared to their opponents.
The energy sapping physical battle clearly wore the Sri Lankans down to a point that they had no answer to the wave of attacking forays by Hong Kong China.
Returning to the top tier of Asian Rugby after a considerable period, Sri Lanka need to reflect on this experience as a learning curve for their ongoing commitments if they hope to achieve the dream of pitting themselves against the world’s best.
For now, they can hold their heads up high and prepare for a better tomorrow.
