ASIA NATIONS DIVISION 1

31.03.2013
Kazakhstan v Thailand in Colombo (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
Sri Lanka v China Taipei in Colombo (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)

Preview
This is a vital tournament which will decide who is promoted to the Asia 5 Nations elite division for 2014. The 2015 Rugby World Cup finalists will come from the elite division in 2014.

Kazakhstan was the team relegated from the Asia 5 Nations in 2012 whilst Thailand was promoted from Division 2.

Squads

Sri Lanka-The only one I can get!

1 Yoshitha Rajapaksa (Captain), 3rd Row, SL Navy SC

2 Fazil Marija (Vice Captain), Fly Half , Kandy SC

3 Henry Terence , Prop Forward, Havelock SC

4 Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Prop Forward, Havelock SC

5 Kishore Jehan, Prop Forward , Kandy SC

6 Sathya Ranathunaga , Prop Forward , SL Navy SC

7 Namal Rajapaksa , Hooker , SL Navy SC

8 Anuranga Walpola , Hooker , Kandy SC

9 Dinesh Sanjeewa , Lock Forward , Kandy SC

10 Shenal Dias , 2nd Row , Havelock SC

11 Hasitha Perera , Lock Forward , Upcountry Lions

12 Sajith Saranga , Lock Forward , Upcountry Lions

13 Sayuru Anthony , 3rd Row , SL Navy SC

14 Sharo Fernando , 3rd Row , Upcountry Lions

15 Sumedha Malewana , 3rd Row , SL Navy SC

16 Roshan Weeraratne , Scrum Half , Kandy SC

17 Rehan Weerakoon , Fly Half , SL Navy SC

18 Dinusha Chathuranga , Center , SL Navy SC

19 Chula Susantha , Center , SL Navy SC

20 Gayan Weeraratne , Center , Kandy SC

21 Pradeep Liyanage , Center , Kandy SC

22 Chamara Dabare , Winger , Havelock SC

23 Sandun Herath , Winger , Havelock SC

24 Mohamed Sheriff , Full Back , Havelock SC

25 Riza Mubarak , Full Back , SL Navy SC

 

Stand By :

1 Jason Dissanayake , Lock Forward , Vidyaratha College

2 Uchitha Jayasooriya , Hooker , Upcountry Lions

3 Ishan Noor , 2nd Row , CR & FC

4 Niroshan Fernando , Fly Half , Havelock SC

5 Saliya Handapangoda , Winger , SL Navy SC

6 Eranga Swarnathilake , Prop Forward , SL Navy SC

7 Achala Perera , Hooker , Kandy SC

8 Charith Senaviratne , Center , Air Force

 

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4221&start=15

   

Kazakhstan              Thailand       China Taipei

Kazakhstan v Thailand in Colombo (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)

Preview
In this encounter a lot will depend upon the strength of the Kazak side. I’d expect them to be vigorous and strong in the forwards. Thailand, in the past, has been a very good attacking side. Chalk and cheese? I would expect the Kazakhstan side to be too strong up front.

Previous Encounters
03.11.2007 Kazakhstan 69-21 in Colombo (Asiad Cup)
28.10.2004 Thailand 37-36 in Hong Kong (19th Asia Championship)
12.10.2003 Kazakhstan 56-17 in Kazakhstan (Asia Tournament)
20.11.2002 Thailand 31-24 in Bangkok (18th Asia Championship)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Kazakhstan 5th, Thailand 10th

IRB Ranking Points
Kazakhstan 51.28, Thailand 42.90

Prediction: Kazakhstan by 19 points.

Sri Lanka v China Taipei in Colombo (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)

Preview
Two of the original members of the Asia Rugby Union clash in this important encounter. In recent years Sri Lanka has dominated the Chinese side and I can’t see that situation changing for this game.

Previous Encounters
15.04.2012 Sri Lanka 36-8 in Manilla (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
14.04.2010 Sri Lanka 37-7 in Singapore (Asia Nations Div.1)
08.04.2009 China Taipei 36-24 in Dubai (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
15.11.2008 China Taipei 35-23 in Tainan (Asia Nations Div.1)
13.10.2002 China Taipei 56-18 in Pusan (Asia Games)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Sri Lanka 7th, China Taipei 8th

IRB Ranking Points
Sri Lanka 47.60, China Taipei 43.19

Prediction: Sri Lanka by 18 points