Sports
Argentina creates History
by Rajitha Ratwatte
Under 10,000 spectators at Bankwest stadium in Sydney. Argentina undercooked said the experts, they had not played as a team for 13 months (since the last World Cup) 12 players had caught the virus and even the coach had been a victim. Argentina would have watched the last game played by the Wallabies and also the world cup semi-final and learned that the All Blacks are beatable, if their plan ‘A’ is disrupted, they don’t seem to have a plan ‘B’. The general opinion of all the experts with the exception Andrew Mhertens, the former All Black no10 was that the All Blacks would win easily, and the reason was that Argentina hadn’t played for over a year. What about fresh legs, I thought to myself and doesn’t commitment and attitude have anything to do with it?
Argentina kicked off with Angus Gardiner refereeing. Right from the start it was obvious that the Argentina Pumas had come to play, and they meant business. A deliberate knock on by All Blacks no11 Caleb Clark in the second minute could have been yellow carded by a lesser referee, but a penalty was awarded instead. The Pumas no10 Sanchez tried an early drop goal in the third minute but missed. Argentina was giving no quarter and in fact they tackled relentlessly and gave no room for the All Blacks three-quarters to run with any room throughout the match. The rough house tactics paid off, a penalty was awarded against the All Blacks in the fourth minute on the 50-meter line right in front of the posts. No problem for Sanchez and the Pumas straight into a 0- 3 lead. Another deliberate knock on but this time well inside the Argentina territory was awarded just a penalty (no yellow card) and since it was right in front of the posts Ritchie Muanga kicked it over 3 – 3, 13th minute.
The rough house tactics and untidy play continued with penalties awarded willy-nilly. In the 18th minute an Argentinian attacking move resulted in a try and they were playing under a penalty advantage as well. As soon as the referee’s hand went out giving the penalty advantage, Sanchez the brilliant Puma stand-off, chip kicked over New Zealand line, picked the ball up and scored under the posts. No question of missing maximum points and the score 3 -10.
A penalty awarded to the All Blacks was reversed when their hooker slapped an Argentinian player right under the referee’s eyes! This reflected the extent to which the All Blacks had been rattled by the Argentinian tactics. Totally unprofessional behaviour from Dane Coles, of all people! Penalties were being milked by both sides, in the 14th minute Aaron Smith in the no 9 jersey for the All Blacks, deliberately passed the ball onto an Argentinian player who was trying to get onside, Argentina retaliated with a player running onto Jodie Barret of the All Blacks after a challenge in the air. Again, this second incident could have been escalated to a tackle without arms and even resulted in a red card, but good sense prevailed. Angus Gardiner is one of the better referees around, but I wish he wouldn’t try to tell the props how to bind in the front row. He has obviously never been anywhere near a front row when playing the game and theory alone, doesn’t suffice in the front row!
All Blacks’ mistakes continued and in the 25th minute another kick able penalty was awarded, mid-left around 32 meters out and Sanchez obliged 3 -13 to the Pumas. The intensity was such that Pablo Matera of the Pumas and Lennert – Brown of the All Blacks both went off for HIA checks in the 28th and 30th minutes. Lennert- Brown’s departure saw Ricco Ioane come on at center for the All Blacks much to my dismay.
It was proved to be a mistake with Ioane dropping a vital pass on a move that looked like a certain try at a crucial stage of the game. In the 36th minute, Argentina crossed the New Zealand line once more but desperate defence from Aaron Smith and Ritchie Muanga saved the day. It took 32 minutes before the first scrum was held and Argentina gained a very kick able penalty straight away, 3 – 16 to the Pumas. At this stage it was clear that the All Blacks were being upstaged by the sheer determination and commitment of the Pumas. It was only a question of if they could handle the pace of the game for the full 80 minutes. Half-time came with the Pumas leading by the same margin of 13 points.
The scrappy play continued as far as the All Blacks went but it seemed to be a carefully orchestrated plan by the Pumas. A penalty was awarded to Argentina 35 meters out and mid-left and the lead was extended, score reading 3 – 19.
The All Blacks started to bring on the bench in the 48th minute with Codie Taylor at hooker, Ricco Ioane (this time officially at center, he was on earlier briefly as Lennert- Brown went for a HIA) and Hoskins Sotutu in the third row.
In the 52nd minute, the All Blacks after two successive penalties scored far left. A straight throw to Aardie Savea standing at the front of the line out caught the Pumas defence napping and Sam Cane the All Blacks skipper scrambled over the line. Muanga converted brilliantly and the score was 10 -19. Ritchie Muanga was caught off-side in the 56th minute and the result penalty was converted by Sanchez 10 -22. More changes from the bench for the All Blacks, Brad Webber came on at half -back for Smith and Damien McKenzie for Goodhue. This was the point at which Ricco Ioane dropped the ball at center from a move that looked like certain points and would have made the margin much smaller and possibly even changed the result of the game. Ritchie Muanga joined in the mayhem and tried a chip kick that resulted in giving the ball straight back to a blue and white player.
In the 69th minute, a kick able penalty was awarded to New Zealand and this was the first sign of lack of on field thinking and ability to adapt showing its ugly face, something that has dogged the All Blacks in recent times. At this stage the on field thinkers, or ‘brains trust’ (yes, such things do exist in Rugby Union!) in the team should have realised that this game was no cake walk. The margin was such that multiple scoring was needed, three points should have been taken. However, a kick for touch was the preferred option.
Two more kick able penalties were also discarded for a scrum and a short tap respectively. Argentina’s defence was unyielding and of course in retrospect it was obvious that all kicks should have been taken to keep the margin at reasonable levels.
Hoskins Sotutu made a nice break from no 8 off an attacking scrum but threw the ball wide without running for the line. Argentina was dominating at this stage and turnovers in loose play were almost par for the course. A penalty against the All Blacks around 55 meters out, with the angle to the posts was kicked over by Sanchez and the score read 10 -25 and Argentina was poised on their first ever victory over the All Blacks in the history of the game.
The full-time hooter sounded and just afterwards, Caleb Clark scored his first try for the All Blacks after back to back penalties. A tough kick was missed by Muanga and the full-time score read 15 – 25, a historic win for Argentina, against all odds and thoroughly deserved.
One thing for sure, there is no such thing as an expert in the game of Rugby football. Undercooked they said, All Blacks to win by 40 points said John Kirwan, to use an Argentinian beef-based analogy, underdone they may have been but it was still a prime rib eye steak.
Gateway College’s Under-14 netball team successfully defended their title at the TISSL Netball Tournament at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, with an inspiring display of teamwork, strategy, and determination.
Organised by Asian International School, the event saw strong competition from leading international schools across the country, but Gateway’s young athletes rose to the challenge, emerging undefeated champions for the second consecutive year.
Despite being the top seeds, Gateway was drawn into the most competitive pool: Group A, alongside formidable opponents. Undeterred, the team set the tone early by defeating Lyceum Nugegoda 8–5 and Horizon College International 7–3, topping their group with confidence and composure.
In the quarterfinals, they dominated hosts Asian International School with an emphatic 11–0 victory. The semi-final clash with Lyceum Wattala, was anticipated to be tough. However, Gateway’s well-coordinated formations and disciplined approach saw them through with a solid 8–2 win.
The final against ILMA International School proved to be a tactical and hard-fought battle. Though the final score read 8–3, it barely reflected the intensity of the encounter, with both sides showcasing high-quality netball. Gateway, however, maintained its composure to secure a well-earned victory and the championship trophy once again.
Leading the team with grace and grit was Captain Adeeba Fareen, whose leadership has been a pillar of strength throughout the tournament. Vice-Captain Shenali Wanigasekara was outstanding in defense and was rightfully named Best Defensive Player. Rayani Gunathileke, known for her relentless energy and precision, walked away with the Best Shooter award, while Griyada Hapukotuwa, consistent and dependable in every match, was crowned Netball Queen.
Coached by Jayanthi Somasekaram, Head of Sports, and assisted by Samuddhi Abeygunawardene and Achini Madhushika, this victory marks not just a championship win but a celebration of skill, spirit, and the power of teamwork.
Shenali Wanigasekara, Rayani Gunathileke and Griyada Hapukotuwa won individual awards.
Adeeba Fareen (Captain)
Rising star Ayomal Akalanka joined the sub 47 seconds club in the men’s 400 metres, young aspirant Dilni Rajapaksha bagged a meet record double and Vavuniya’s new-found endurance runner Ilango Vikirthan and St. Aloysius’ Ratnapura prodigy Lahiru Achintha made their presence felt with stunning performaces as the Junior National Athletics Championship concluded with a host of impressive feats at Diyagama on Sunday.
The Ambagamuwa Central athlete Akalanka who shattered his own national junior record in the 400 metres hurdles on Friday, reached his personal best in the 400 metres with a remarkable meet record performance of 46.46 seconds in the Under 20 final. The athlete trained by Anura Bandara was adjudged the Best Athlete in his age category and the Best Performer of the meet for his National Junior record time of 50.20 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles. Incidentally, his 50.20 seconds feat is the fastest performance in Asia this year in the junior category.
Lyceum International Wattala athlete Dilni Rajapaksha continued her record-breaking form winning the Under 16 triple jump with a new meet record distance of 11.66 m. It was the second time she improved a meet record at this meet. She broke her own records in the long jump and triple jump established last year. Her meet record of 5.96 metres in the Under 16 girls’ long jump earned her the Best Athlete title of her age category.
The day’s most remarkable finish was delivered by South Asian Junior Championship medallist Shavindu Avishka of Dhammissara National School and Lahiru Achintha who bettered the meet record in the Under 18 boys’ 1500m with a photofinish. Achintha pipped Avishka by miliseconds to write his name against the new meet record as he stopped the clock at 4:00.47 seconds.
In the corresponding girls’ event Tharushi Abisheka returned a time of 4:33.85 seconds to break her own meet record.
Lyceum International Wattala sprinter Dhananjana Fernando stood out once again in the 100 metres finishing the Under 18 girls’ event in a time of 12.08 seconds. She has been the fastest in the 100 metres even at senior national level this season and the meet record feat was something the enthusiasts were eagerly anticipating as she had clocked sub 12 seconds early this year.
Iresh Bogoda of Sir John Kothalawala College, Kurunegala excelled in the Under 18 boys’ 400 metres winning in a meet record time of 47.58 seconds.
In the girls’ 400 metres, Chenadi Dewhara Bendarage of Gamini National School, Benthota created a new meet record stopping the clock at 57.33 seconds. The fastest 400 metres performance in the girls’ category was achieved by Matara Central’s Nuhansa Kodituwakku who clocked 55.03 seconds to win the Under 20 event. That feat fetched her the Best Athlete title in the age category.
Former Nannapurawa MV athlete Madushani Herath flexed her muscles ahead of the Thailand Open with an impressive jump of 13.53 metres to win the Under 23 triple jump. She won the best athlete title in her age category. In the Under 23 men’s category, Rumesh Tharanga’s record breaking 82.93 metres throw (javelin) won him the Best Athlete award.
The final day was given a strong start by Poovarasankulam MV, Vavuniya athlete Ilango Vikirthan who clocked 15:13.25 seconds to win the Under 20 boys’ 5,000 metres. It was his third title of the meet and the third time he turned tables on athletes traning at high altitudes. His most impressive performance however was his record breaking time of 9:25.81 seconds in the Under 20 3,000metres steeplechase on day two.
by Reemus Fernando
Ilango Vikirthan from Vavunia won three golds and established a meet record in the Under 20 3,000 metres steeplechase.
-
- Ayomal Akalanka with his awards. (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)
-
- Dilni Rajapaksha established two meet records.
Lahiru Achintha (right) pipped Shavindu Avishka to win the Under 18 boys’ 1,500 metres
Madushani Herath competes in the Under 23 triple jump
The third edition of the World Test Championship kicks off in the sweltering south with Galle set to host the curtain-raiser as Sri Lanka lock horns with Bangladesh on Tuesday. This time around, the Sri Lankans have the luxury of playing India and South Africa at home in addition to Bangladesh, while away tours to West Indies, New Zealand and Pakistan lie ahead. Its not a bad schedule at all.
In the last cycle which came to a climax at Lords this week with Australia squaring off against South Africa in the final Sri Lanka flirted with a spot in the big dance but ultimately fell short. Four straight losses two in the Rainbow Nation and two in their own backyard left them stumped. Most fans remember the defeats in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Galle, but few rewind to where it all unraveled.
It began with a home series against Pakistan in 2023, where Sri Lanka were caught napping and lost both Tests. From then on, they were playing catch-up cricket, chasing shadows instead of dictating terms.
This time, they can ill afford to hit the snooze button. In a competition where momentum is everything, its not just about starting well its about staying in the hunt and finishing like a freight train.
After the opener in Galle, the action shifts to Colombo, with the second Test scheduled at SSC. Sri Lanka will walk in as favourites.
This series also marks a changing of the guard. Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lankas most prolific opening bat, has called time on a storied career spanning for 15 years. A rock at the top, he leaves big boots to fill. And after the first Test, Angelo Mathews another old warhorse will bid adieu, bringing down the curtain on a career that began in 2009.
The selection conundrum now is who slots in where. Lahiru Udara has been knocking on the door with truckloads of runs in domestic cricket, but will the selectors hand him the key or stick with Oshada Fernando, whos been warming the bench as backup opener?
Then comes the Mathews question. Who takes over the No. 4 slot, the spine of any Test side? Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha have put their hands up with strong performances for the A team, and Pawan Ratnayake is now in the mix too. Of the trio, only one will get the nod but who has the temperament to wear that cap?
Another twist in the tale: will the replacement bat at four, or will the selectors reshuffle the deck? Kamindu Mendis, the elegant left-hander with a golden 2024 behind him, has steadily climbed the order and seems the frontrunner for that prime real estate.
Meanwhile, skipper Dhananjaya de Silva is under the pump. Hes clung onto the captaincy largely due to the absence of viable alternatives, but his leadership has lacked bite. With four straight Test losses under his belt and a batting slump thats seen him go ten games without a century, his place is under the scanner. Waiting for things to happen wont cut it anymore its time he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
Sri Lanka s spin department has its own selection headache. Prabath Jayasuriya is a shoo-in, but who will partner him? Offies Nishan Peiris and Ramesh Mendis have both been given the ball and the benefit of the doubt but neither has nailed it. Peiris, with just three caps, still has room to grow. Mendis, on the other hand, after 16 Tests, is still struggling to bowl six balls in the same postcode.
by Rex Clementine ✍️
At least one person killed, several injured, after earthquake hits Peru
Numerous Clean Sri Lanka initiatives were implemented in Anuradhapura during Poson week
Workshop on the use of AI to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the public service
-
Features3 days agoThey came, they won, they returned to Jaffna isles
-
News5 days agoUK confirms ongoing war crimes investigation into British mercenaries in Sri Lanka
-
News3 days agoITAK candidate elected B’caloa Mayor as NPP seeks alliance with Pillayan
-
Features6 days agoFrom economic accountability to war-time accountability
-
Features6 days agoSinging Chef’s daughter… in the spotlight again
-
Opinion4 days agoProf. Dissanayake honoured for oustanding contribution to Sinhala literature
-
Editorial6 days agoPoya pardon controversy
-
Opinion6 days agoCelebrating Arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka