Top rugby nations on Sri Lanka Sevens parade..

By Asanka Gammanpila

For the first time in the annals of Sri Lanka rugby, six teams from New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Fiji, Western Samoa and Papua New Guinea will play in a showpiece event in the island from November 27 to 29 alongside the Carlton SriLankan Sevens at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Carlton Sports Club president Namal Rajapaksa receiving the sponsorship from Jitendra R. Gunaratne president Consumer Foods Group of John Keells at a press conference yesterday at the Cinnamon Grand hotel. (Picture by Daminda Harsha Perera)

Tournament Director George Simpkin said the six teams will play separately while the Carlton Sevens will be contested by Asian nations and Sri Lanka schools teams.

“These teams will come as the Australian Legends, Fiji Barbarians, New Zealand legends, Papua New Guinea, South Africa Pool and Western Samoa Barbarians. They will have national poolists and ex-national players”, Simpkin said at a press conference to announce the launch of the event at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo.

But Simpkin said the six countries could also send in their top teams to contest the Carlton Sevens next year when it receives official recognition from the International Rugby Board (IRB)

Another feature of the Carlton Sevens will be the presence of international Sevens legend and Fijian Waisele Serevi who will accompany the Papua New Guinea team as its coach.

The Carlton Sevens has been classified as an Asian region Sevens series contested by Japan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Taiwan, Thailand, Jordan, China, Malaysia, Brunei, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

John Keels Holdings are the main sponsors of the tournament while SriLankan Airlines comes in as co-sponsors.

Both sponsors expressed optimism that the tournament will give the sport and the country a facelift at a crucial stage.

The tournament is organized by the Carlton Sports Club in association with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union’s interim committee.There will also be a school competition along with the international matches with top school vying for honors.

SCHOOL COMPETITION DRAW-

GROUP A- Royal,St.Ann's,Uwa province

GROUP B- St.Anthony s,Maliyadewa,Sabaragamuwa

GROUP C- St.peters,Prince of wales,Carey