Can’t Touch This

Ever since I busted my ACL at the end of 2009, I’ve been struggling for fitness and confidence to get back into playing proper rugby. When you’re in your mid thirties and your body is literally held together by tape, it’s difficult to get that adrenalin rush back from anything else. Other sports are the go karts to rugby’s F1. But finally, there seems to be a credible alternative.

The Federation of International Touch (FIT) is finally here, and tapping into the market of countless ‘tap rugger’ games that go on at various venues on evenings and weekends. FIT is an organised, highly competitive, lung busting form of touch rugby, which the Sri Lanka Federation of Touch (SLFT) is hoping to get going in a big way.

We’ve all noted the success of the touch and tag tournaments held by the big rugby playing schools and this new form of the game should take off in no time. 

Unlike the one touch turnaround, the new format is played in rugby league style and gives each team five touches before the ball is turned over on the fifth touch. Defending teams have to retire 5m on every touch and this constant backpedalling will be a wake up call for those who thought they were fit enough to attempt this. 

The first tournament is already scheduled for the 1st of February at Havelock Park and will conclude under lights. There are already 12 teams registered and it should be a great way to launch the sport here. Already the rivalries have started heating up and the trash talking is beginning on the tap rugby fields. And although the game requires endurance, it will not be distinctly advantageous to the younger speed merchants as organised defences can stifle raw pace. 

The game requires immense amounts of discipline and rolling subs help. The referees too need to be on the ball with a lot to police, and hopefully SLFT will have got good officials in what could be a very competitive tournament. 

There’s still room to register your team. Call Abu on (77) 727 0684. Check it out on http://www.facebook.com/srilankafederationoftouch