Sri Lanka attempt ‘Fijian fix’ for Hong Kong clash
Coach Leigh Jones unfazed by move after naming strong starting line-up for Colombo encounter
Hong Kong could run into a wall of Fijians with Sri Lanka making hasty plans to field three Pacific islanders for their Asian Five Nations clash on Saturday.
It is understood the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) is trying to fast-track passports for a forward and two backs.
Sri Lanka are captained by Namal Rajapaksa, whose father is president of the South Asian country.
If I thought [the changes] would compromise our performance I wouldn’t have gone for it
While there was opposition in the past to Sri Lanka fielding foreign-born players, it is understood the policy has been shelved as they attempt to improve their international standing - currently 39th compared with Hong Kong's 26th.
"Attempts are being made to get them passports. Two of the Fijians are very keen to play for Sri Lanka, but there is a small issue with the third and management is trying to resolve that now," said a source close to the SLRFU.
The presence of Fijians could transform Sri Lanka on the field at sevens, but in 15s Hong Kong are unlikely to be troubled, and head coach Leigh Jones named a strong starting line-up.
