Sports

Campese’s rugby diary in Sri Lanka filled with special moments

Published

3 years ago

2024/02/7

Australian rugby legend David Campese (second from left) presents the Matthysz Trophy to CR&FC skipper Suhuru Anthony after the CR&FC vs Havies rugby match played last Friday (Picture courtesy SLR Media)

By A Special Sports Correspondent

Australian rugby legend David Campese was here to boost the launch of the ‘Zahira Centenary Rugby Sevens’ which was held recently in Colombo. The Aussie rugby union player is no stranger to players and fans who followed the game in the early 1980s to the mid 1990s. That was the time when Australia was a dominant force in rugby; especially in the seven-a-side version of the game. There is a saying in rugby that those who play this sport will find a way to communicate even if the spoken language sets up barriers. Campese arranged many coaching workshops for coaches and schools during his stay here in the island. And most likely even if there was a communication gap due to the language issue Campese probably got his message across to coaches and those who attended these workshops because of this great camaraderie feature in rugby union.

Zahira College is celebrating 100 years in rugby this year. Campese played over 100 tests for Australia and 85 of them were as a wing three quarter. We remember those breathtaking runs by Campese when he played for Australia in the ‘Hong Kong Sevens’; when this event served as the biggest and only rugby attraction in the abbreviated form of rugby and before the IRB Rugby Sevens Series began and grew to have eight stops in selected cities in the world. In the 2023/24 rugby sevens series Hong Kong is the sixth stop with Dubai, Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Singapore and Madrid being named as the other cities in the world with hosting rights for the ‘IRB rugby sevens’.

Campese spoke at the launch and remembered playing against the ‘Lilliputians’ from this sun kissed island in the Hong Kong Sevens. He recalled, during this speech, playing for Australia in the Hong Kong sevens in the years 1993, 1994 and 1995 and meeting Sri Lanka in the ‘pool stages’ of the tournament. Australia won the tournament in 1993. This writer remembers veteran sports writer T.M.K. Samat telling him about his work experience in newspapers in Hong Kong, where, once he had to work under an Australian editor-in-chief. According to Samat this editor had been a tough task master and on the day of the Hong Kong Sevens ‘finals’ he had reported on how Australia had done well to win the ‘Cup Championships’ and after that this editor had had a change of attitude towards him. There was a time when Australia and the Hong Kong Sevens were so interwoven as the ‘eventual champion and the trophy’. New Zealand and Australia were the driving forces in sevens rugby at that time and Fiji was a force just coming up.

We Sri Lankans loved his determined runs, the cunningness shown on the field and the quick thinking coupled with quick silver footwork that made him a sole match-winner despite rugby being a team sport. Campese was famous for that ‘goose step’-a hitch-kick motion-which often had defenders chasing him missing him and clinging on to thin air when tackles were attempted on him. So many others tried this goose step in rugby, but akin to McDonald’s pizza being ahead of the others in the same business, those who tried Campese’s footwork were found wanting because this move-copied by others- was either under or over cooked on the rugby field.

Campese has often got into trouble for speaking without rehearsing his words. Our own rugby legend and winger, the late Chandrishan Perera, once told this writer how Campese had run around him and beaten him for pace during the game of rugby. The Australian had even made a degrading remark targeting the Sri Lankan player. Perera had done the identical move in that game destroying Campese’s defence and then responded ‘now we are equal’. Perera said that players from other parts of the world show Asians respect when the latter are intelligent and skilled in the game of rugby union. For the record Perera and the present President of Sri Lanka Rugby Nalin de Silva were members of the ‘Bowl Championship’ winning team in the 1984 edition of the Hong Kong Sevens. The Sri Lankan rugby authorities managed to invite the Australian rugby legend last week as a special guest for the second leg of the annual rugby encounter between CR&FC and Havelock Sports Club-played for the Matthysz Trophy- at Longden Place.

Back to the launch of the Zahira Centenary Rugby Sevens and the coaching sessions that were held alongside these events we saw how respectful Campese was when he removed his hat when giving away certificates to successful participants. Did some of our ‘hat wearing’ coaches who participated in the rugby workshops show the same respect to this special guest when they came up to receive their certificates? This is a point to ponder at a time when the whole of Sri Lanka is demanding a system change; which many believe must start from the citizens themselves.

Campese speaking at the launch said that his achievement of playing 100 plus Tests in rugby can help him relate to the Zahira Centenary Rugby Sevens. He also emphasized on the importance of indentifying culture and history associated with a sport. He underscored that it would be hard to establish oneself in a sport if culture and history are absent. He said, “Rugby is a unique sport and everywhere you go in the world you will find a rugby club”. Here in Sri Lanka, however, he found a school that has a history in rugby spanning 100 years. Campese is sure to talk about his rugby experience in Sri Lanka all the way back to Australia!

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Sports

President’s Balika win gold at All Island School Games

Published

37 mins ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

President’s Balika Nawala, won the girls’ hockey title at the All Island Schools Games, held recently at the Astro Turf, Reid Avenue. It was the second consecutive year the school had claimed the title.

Nethuli Dinethmi, who played a vital role in the team’s success, was named Best Player of the tournament.The victorious team is pictured here with the school’s officials, namely, H.P.M.P.D.Hasanthi Pathirathna, Principal, S.K.Tharsha Ranasinghe, Vice Principal, M.D.D. Aloka Dissanayake, Teacher in Charge of Sports, R.P.D. Dilrukshi, Teacher in Charge of Sports and Chathura Kalum Rupasinghe (Coach).

(Pic by Thushara Athapaththu)

Sports

Sorry state of Sri Lanka’s T20 cricket

Published

37 mins ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

by Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka were once pioneers in limited overs cricket, setting the bar so high that the rest of the world was left scrambling to catch up. And mind you, this was not confined to the 50 over format, where Sri Lanka tore up the coaching manuals, embraced an unconventional brand of cricket and took the world by storm.

Even in T20 cricket, despite not possessing an abundance of power hitters, Sri Lanka punched well above their weight.

Clever improvisation, fearless innovation and a willingness to back unorthodox talent helped them make the cricketing world eat humble pie. Fast forward to the present, however, and the picture is anything but rosy. Sri Lanka’s T20 cricket is in a sorry state, and there is no hiding the mountain of work ahead.

In Pakistan, their shortcomings have been laid bare, with the team repeatedly found wanting and left high and dry.

Successive administrations have tried every trick in the book to arrest the slide. Power hitting coaches have been brought in, psychologists engaged, players given unrestricted access to franchise leagues and emerging talent afforded regular exposure. Yet, for all these efforts, Sri Lanka’s players, particularly the batters, have struggled to raise the bar.

The series defeat to Pakistan was Sri Lanka’s fifth this year. Add to that the disappointments at the World Cup and the Asian Games and the picture becomes even more depressing. True, Sri Lanka returned from Japan with a bronze medal, but India provided a brutal reminder of the widening gulf between the haves and the have nots.

So, where do Sri Lanka go from here?

The Cricket Committee would do well to pick the brains of captains and coaches who have cracked the T20 code in recent years. There is no shame in learning from those who have mastered the format. The challenge is to identify a blueprint for su ccess and see how best those ideas can be adapted to Sri Lankan cricket.

Head coach Gary Kirsten himself has worked with successful franchises around the world. Perhaps he should be given a free hand to bring in specialist expertise if he believes that is what the team needs.

For all the disappointments in T20 cricket, fielding had remained one area where Sri Lanka could still hold their heads high. Alarmingly, even that department is beginning to unravel. The wheels appear to be coming off in a discipline that was once a hallmark of Sri Lankan cricket.

There were, however, a few encouraging signs in the final game against Pakistan. The manner in which Kusal Mendis went about his business was a breath of fresh air. The Sri Lankan captain struck at an impressive 181, combining clean hitting with the sort of innovation that has been conspicuously absent from the team’s batting.

Kamindu Mendis, too, showed signs of returning to form and Sri Lankan supporters will be hoping the pair can carry that momentum into the triangular ODI competition, also featuring England, which gets underway later this week.

Sri Lanka badly missed Pathum Nissanka, their highest ranked T20I batter at number nine in the ICC rankings. His absence robbed the batting line up of much needed quality and consistency. To compound matters, a troublesome hamstring has left his participation in the ODI leg uncertain as well.

The occasional flash of brilliance may offer some comfort, but it cannot disguise the larger malaise. Sri Lanka were once the trendsetters in limited overs cricket. Today, they are struggling to keep pace with the rest. Unless there is a serious rethink, the gap will only grow wider.

Sports

Richmond seal quarter final berth as Tenusha bags another five wicket haul

Published

37 mins ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

Tenusha Nimsara

by Reemus Fernando

Richmond College, Galle wrapped up their group stage unbeaten as Tenusha Nimsara claimed his second five-wicket haul of the tournament, steering them to a thrilling two-wicket win over D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo, in their U19 Division I Tier A Limited Overs Tournament Group B encounter at Karandeniya on Wednesday.

‎Chasing a modest target of 118, Richmond reached 118 for eight in 44.2 overs, surviving a tense battle after DSS had put up a determined fight with the ball.

‎Earlier, DSS were bowled out for 117 as Richmond’s bowlers delivered an impressive collective performance. Left arm spinner Nimsara was the standout performer, claiming five wickets for just eight runs in eight overs, including two maidens. Hiruk Akalanka and Punal Hansajith claimed one wicket each, while Tenura Dias and Gayuka Manawadu took two and one wickets respectively. It was Nimsara’s second five-wicket haul. He has 14 wickets against his name going to the quarter finals.

‎Richmond struggled in their essay as DSS bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the chase. Sadil Dias led the attack with three wickets for 26 runs, while Oshadha Perera claimed two wickets.

‎Vinuda Ravishan played a crucial role in Richmond’s chase, scoring 44 off 114 deliveries.

Unbroken seventh-wicket stand steers Wesley

‎Wesley College secured a vital four-wicket victory over S. Thomas’ College in their Tier A match at Mount Lavinia thanks largely to an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership.

‎Chasing a modest target of 140, Wesley were in trouble at 82 for six before Lithum Senuja and Lithma Perera joined forces to guide their side home. The pair shared an unbroken 58-run partnership for the seventh wicket, taking Wesley to 140 for six in 44.1 overs.

‎Senuja anchored the innings with a patient unbeaten 46 off 116 balls, while Perera provided valuable support with an unbeaten 25 off 43 deliveries. Their composed partnership ensured Wesley overcame a difficult situation to claim victory.‎

St Joseph’s secure quarter-final place

‎St Joseph’s College, Darley Road scored a 46 run win under the DLS method against Thurstan in their encounter at Darley Road to secure a place in the quarter finals.

‎Batting first, St Joseph’s posted 193 all out in 44.4 overs, with Kavith Fernando top-scoring with 53 off 53 balls. Yenula Dantanarayana contributed 38 and Aveesha Samash made 36.

‎Thurstan reached 112 for seven in 30 overs against a revised par score of 158. Rachintha De Silva scored 42 off 27 balls, while Vigneswaran Akash starred with three wickets for 21 runs. Nushan Perera and Vishwa Peiris claimed two wickets each.

‎Earlier in the tournament they beat Gurukula and St. Servatius’ while conceeding their only defeat against Nalanda.‎

Mahanama beat Cambrians

‎Mahanama College, Colombo, beat Prince of Wales’ College, Moratuwa, by five wickets in their match at Moratuwa. Prince of Wales’ scored 141/9 in 27 overs, with Matheesha Aponsu top-scoring with 58. Mahanama chased down the target, reaching in 18.4 overs. Sineth Veerarathne scored 48 off 26 balls, while Dulneth Algawatte remained unbeaten on 30. Ojash Shankar took three wickets for Prince of Wales.‎

‎Janith Panditharathna took four wickets as St. Peter’s College Colombo beat Lumbini by 58 runs in their match at Colts ground.