Lankan Junior ruggerites arrive late in Korea

Shamseer Jaleel reporting from Buan Korea

The Lankan Junior rugby players arrived in Buan, Korea last night though originally scheduled to arrive on the previous day, the team arrived with only 9 hours before the starting time for their opener against Singapore.

Sanath Martis speaking to the Daily News was happy with the side but was very unhappy with the delayed arrival which was out of his control.

The High commission in Colombo takes nearly three working days to approve the visa. Martis ended by saying they will go flat out for the opening game though the Singapore outfit which is placed 6th and the Sri Lankans third. We are to face the real acid test against the Hong Kong outfit.

Sri Lankan's were the last team to arrive while Hong Kong and Singaporeans arrived four days before the tournament. Further the climate over here in Buan was pretty cold and over cast. The players will need much time to adjust to the climate before thinking about the game. The division II games which was originally scheduled to be played between India, Philippines, Iran and Guam was shifted to Philippines since two teams pulling out at the last hour.

There will be four top class senior national poolist in the starting line up for the Sri Lanka's opening game. Ishan Noor, Billal Hassen, Sajith Saranga and Dinusha Chathuranga.

The winner of this tournament will book their bearth for the Junior Rugby World Cup in 2009.

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The Sri Lankan starting line up for today's game against Singapore at 7.30 am local time will be as following.

Props: Dilanka Gunatilleke and Ishan Noor , Hooker: Bilal Hassan, Second Rowers: - Kalana Amarasinghe and Sharo Fernando, Flankers -Gayan Ratnage and Poornaka Delpechitra, Number Eight: Sajith Saranaga, Scrum Half: Srinath Suriyabandara, Fly Half - Roshan Weerarathne, Centres: Dinusha Chathuranga (Skipper) and Harsha Weerakkody , Wingers: Chanaka Gunaratne and Wishwamithra Jayasinghe and Full Back - Chanaka Peters.