Money spent on Rode blown out of proportion-SLRFU

The Secretary of the SLRFU Nalin De Silva took umbrage at allegations levelled by a national newspaper (not the Upali Group), that the huge costs spent to bring down one of the foreign based Sri Lankan rugby players for a recent international had gone in waste.

The player concerned Stuart Rode a fly half and a Sri Lankan domiciled in Australia, was brought down by the SLRFU alongside Don Baladasan residing in Britain for the IRB/ARFU Quadrangular Test against Hong Kong recently.

Sri Lanka lost the game 36-22 to Hong Kong at Nittawela.

But Rode did not play in the test while his colleague Baladasan played for 10 minutes and was replaced controversially by the management.

"To say that the costs involved in bringing down Rode has gone in waste is a downright lie" he said.

De Silva said Stuart Rode could not play due to a injury picked up by the player at a team practice session leading to the test match.

He said the SLRFU’s motive was to resuscitate the sport countrywide, and in that regard to direct unfounded criticism at the two local foreign based players was uncalled for.

"Do not forget that we are dealing with professional sports, and that means money is involved and the costs incurred to bring down Rode is not something that should be blown out of proportion".

The former Sri Lanka and Air Force SC number eight stressed, that with the injury he (Rode) was carrying it was impossible for him to play in such a crucial game.

The SLRFU Secretary said the governing body has always used whatever finances received for the ultimate betterment of the game.

He said that they will continue to hire foreign based Sri Lankans for future internationals despite the adverse response from a certain section of the press whom he described were ‘more bothered about the money incurred than the long term gains for the sport’.

It was said in the news report that Rs 150,000 was spent by the SLRFU to bring down Stuart Rode from Australia.