Navy out to play open entertaining rugby

Navy SC Rugby Squad  
(Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi)    

By Harsha Amarasinghe and Sandun Kodithuwakku  

Despite the defeat in their opening game to Police Sports Club, Navy Sports Club is determined to play some open and entertaining rugby in the Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament 2023/2024.  

According to their Head Coach Viper Gunaratne losing nearly half the squad from last season didn’t help the cause but his team is to take that as their motivation to succeed in this season.  

“I can’t even count the numbers. We lost almost a full team of players. Don’t think any other team has lost so many players during the season. Having said that this will be the main motivation for the team this year” Gunaratne said during an interview with Daily Mirror.  

The experienced coach, though expects a tough challenge this season, believes the discipline would play a significant role in his team moving forward.  

“We enjoy the challenge and I want our players to learn how to play under pressure. I will make them to be task-focused. Best defence and the fittest team in the competition. Discipline is the key factor,” added Viper who led St. Anthony’s College in 1976.  

Despite losing so many top players, one of the star players Navy SC has still got is Thilina Weerasinghe who is leading the Sailors this season.  

“There is no doubt about his talent and what he brings to this team. But talent alone is not enough. He has to lead by example and some young talents are giving him a good fight within the team. Hope he will use his experience well and lead the team,” said the former Kandy SC Skipper who had played over 300 games for the team from the Hill Capitals over 15 seasons.  

With Weerasinghe leading, former Isipathana College fly half Isuru Kongahawatta has been named as the Vice-Captain while Navy SC have signed some promising school-leavers in the form of Apurwa Weerasinghe, Kaveesha Amarasinghe, Kujana Kumaratunga, Shafeel Musheen, Aftab Asmi and Imanka Ishara.  

Gunaratne believes that with only eight teams in the competition, anything is possible but wants his players to play open and entertaining rugby. “Since there are only eight teams in the tournament anything is possible. But I know it’s easier said than done. We will wear the underdog tag and may surprise some big guns for sure.”  

“One thing I can confidently say is Navy SC will play clean and hard open entertaining rugby this year,” claimed Viper.  

Navy SC lost their opening match to Police Sports Club 41-22 and they will face Air Force Sports Club in their second game at Ratmalana on Friday which could be a season-defining game for the team from Welisara.