Can the Thomian grit withstand the Double Blues’ flash? Let’s wait and see
Scrum and engage with Christopher Jordashe on SriLankaSports.com
Scripted by: Brian Thomas
Edited by: Christopher Jordashe
Third Eye: Tony Amit
Win Predictor
Wesley 55% – STC 45%
Havelock Park, for the Thomians, is as good as their own backyard. For Wesley, it is their comfort zone — but for the media, rugby lovers and critics, it’s a neutral venue. Therefore, both teams, gentlemen — no IFs and BUTs — win, or depart from being runners-up to the Lions in this penultimate league encounter.
Three teams in contention: Royal, Wesley, and St Thomas’. So, it’s a “winner takes it all” type of battle for the trio, with the bonus point being the icing on the cake.
Thomian grit and determination will stand and pay dividends, but the main ingredients are to bring in your best stonewall defence and not slumber. This game is 70 minutes. Extra vigilance is now a prerequisite for the Thomians.
The Thomians must realise that Wesley plays the same brand of rugby, similar to their brother school, which taught them the true meaning of solid defence. Therefore, they need to avoid infringements, contest all line-outs but win their own, and ensure all 15 are on the park for the full duration of 70 minutes.
Sucking the energy out of your opponents will be an option — using your heavy forwards and then getting your back three in motion with some penetrative running ploys. Instead of being too dependent on your back three to turn water into wine, or Nikel Karunaratne and Aluwihare always engaging in extra ball-carrying, it will not work with Wesley, who have dominant forwards as well, because they indulge in a similar brand of rugby like Trinity, the current league champions.
Wesley are excellent in defence. Their rolling maul execution and technique is working to plan. They use their forwards sensibly, and through multiple phases, work the three-quarters with playmaker Abdul Hadhi joining the line to create that overlap for continuity, with inside cut-out passes — a method which, if not defended, can result in the scoreboard ticking in their favour.
Wesley, on the other hand, must ensure they keep possession and not gift it to the Thomians through unforced errors and infringements due to over-intent. The Thomians in attack are very dangerous at times, and their counter-attack off breakdowns is sublime. Hence, Wesley might miss a trick or two through loss of possession.
Trinity learnt a lesson in not having their best 15 on the park during the last 10 minutes of play against Wesley. This is an eye-opener for the Thomians, because St Thomas’ tends to slumber in defence at the back end of the game — or in the first 15–20 minutes — where they lack the required intensity from kick-off.
Wesley, in our books, will be determined to correct their fringe defence follies made against the Lions. Meanwhile, St Thomas’ knows the importance of avoiding aimless kicking and holding onto possession. They need to indulge only in tactical kicking, and we could encounter a good battle on the horizon.
Tony Amit’s Corner
Wesley are favourites: 52% against 48%. Thomians are low in confidence, low in defence, and too dependent on the back three, whilst Wesley, similar to Trinity, play as a unit with solid defence and utilise their forwards well.
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