SLRFU postpones Rugby Asiad to Jan. 2007

The Sri Lanka rugby Football Union council has decided to postpone the Asian Rugby Tournament for January 2007 at a special council meeting held at the SLRFU Headquarters yesterday.This was decided after the International Rugby Board (IRB) decided to drop Colombo as hosts for the final Asian qualifying round for next year’s World Cup to be held in France. The contest in Sri Lanka was to be held concurrently with Asian tournament but because of security concerns in the country, the IRB had decided to scrap the event.

Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) President Priyatha Ekanayake told the Daily Mirror yesterday that two suggestions have been made by council members about Asian tournament. “The first option is that the SLRFU should try to exchange the 2008 Asian Rugby Tournament with hosts Korea with this year’s tournament. The other is to postpone the event for January next year.

However, he said, that with the limited time available the SLRFU cannot expect positive results from the Korean Rugby Union. The SLRFU’s main target is to organize the tournament in Sri Lanka in January 2007.

“The SLRFU will have to hold discussions with representatives of every country to conduct the competition in Sri Lanka in January 2007,” said Ekanayake.

He further added that SLRFU will be hoping to hold discussions with the IRB about the losses that the SLRFU had to face after the contest was postponed. “We have already informed the IRB about the difficulties we underwent and the difficult position that we are faced with now.

Meanwhile after a break of one week the national team (XV-a-side and sevens) will resume training again next week.

The SLRFU also decided to inform the IRB about former Sri Lanka rugby coach, New Zealander Willie Hetaraka, who has been absconding after having signed a contract with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. “We have decided to write a strong letter to the IRB and the New Zealand Rugby Board as Hetaraka has violated the contract between him and the SLRFU,” said Priyantha.

Martis as junior coach

The SLRFU council has also decided to appoint two new junior coaches in Sanath Martis and Viper Guneratne Junior. Sanath Martis, a welsh trained coach, led St. Peter’s to the League and knock-out titles while Viper Guneratne (Jnr) who has been trained in Australia is the coach of the St. Anthony’s College Katugastota rugby team.

Sanath Martis, an Old Isipathanian, will be the head coach of the Sri Lanka Under 19 team which is due to participate in the in the Junior Asian Rugby Football Tournament to be held in Taiwan in December. Viper Guneratne (Jnr) will be his assistant.