Instead of trashing the Indian women’s rugby team that finished seventh and last in the Asian Games competition in Hangzhou, we should be celebrating the overwhelming odds the girls surmounted just to be there. Instead of stupidly asking why the team was sent – the same question, by the way, that was asked of the men’s cricket teams after the 1975 and 1979 World Cups – let’s try and get a little perspective.
The Hong Kong Sevens is one of the blue-riband events in rugby’s abbreviated format – Union is played 15 a side, while League has 13 on each team. The first Hong Kong Sevens was held as long ago as March 28, 1976. Among the teams invited to participate were Japan and Singapore. It’s those three teams that India lost to in the league phase in Hangzhou, countries that have a half-century head-start or more when it comes to a strong rugby culture.
Consider the Japanese men’s team. In 1995, their third World Cup, they were routed 145-17 by a mighty New Zealand All Blacks side that ran in 21 tries (five points for a try, and two for converting it). Instead of giving up, Japan went back to the drawing board, strengthened their infrastructure and the quality of coaching available. In 2015, they upset South Africa’s Springboks, World Cup winners in 1995 and 2007.
Instead of uninformed negativity, what these courageous Indian girls need is our support. Till half a decade ago, most of them had never even seen a rugby ball. It’s only in the last couple of years that their diet and training plans have come in line with international standards. They are pathbreakers in every sense, and deserve India’s respect, not its derision.
Against both Singapore and Kazakhstan, in the seventh-place match – India were right in the contest at half-time. Singapore managed only one try, while Kazakhstan were pegged back to 12-7 thanks to a brilliant converted try from Tarulata Naik. Instead of sniggering, remember that name. Tarulata Naik. Scorer of India’s first try at this level in over a decade.
India last took part in the women’s rugby competition in 2010, when Guangzhou had hosted the Asian Games. Japan finished fifth that year, losing to Kazakhstan and Hong Kong. This time, they contest the gold medal against China later on Tuesday. Sport isn’t instant noodles to give you immediate results. Like Hong Kong’s legendary brisket, it takes time. India’s rugby players deserve that.