The big boys of Indian rugby - how big can be gauged by the Army Red scrum's near 750-kg aggregate weight that bullies opponents into conceding yards - are cannoning for their fifth straight title. And in this edition of the All India & South Asia Rugby Tournament currently underway in Mumbai,even the smaller of big-boys - the Army Green (their Second XV) are hoping for an all-soldiers affair in the final over the weekend. Stopping this martial march of Army Red and Army Green into the summit clash - or attempting to - are the civilian powerhouses hosts Bombay Gymkhana and first-timers in the Last 4 - Delhi Hurricanes. When the semifinals kick off on the pitch this Wednesday,the Gym boys though will start as favourites against the formidable army's second-rung,says India captain Nasser Hussain. The challenge is considerably more stiffer for the semi-final debutantes Delhi Hurricanes,a team from the capital that would consider this its biggest achievement at the national-level. Though,their best might not be enough to stop the rampaging Army Greens - whose forwards are one of Indian sport's most intimidating force. "We'll need to rely on our backs' game because we can't match the army's forwards in size or game sense. Hence,we'll be dependent on a dry field and no slush," says captain Gautam Dagar,who wants his fleet-footed backs to out-run their opponents,clear favourites in the encounter. Rains visit the coastal city every afternoon,and the relentless slush might not aid the boys from the capital who gained access to their own rugby-only field at Vasant Kunj only a week before the start of the nationals. "We're not used to playing on wet pitches,we need a dry field to give our backs a free run," Dagar rues. With injuries hitting at their most vulnerable spots - full-back Saurabh won't take the field - and even front-row Pawan troubled by a niggling ankle,the Hurricanes would rather hope for a sunny day and no stormy rains at all. "I have to back my players' capability,and it will depend on how we play them that day. But I expect a close match," Dagar says,a tad too optimistic. They ran the Army Ambala team (Army's Third XV in pedigree) close recently,but in his most honset appraisal,Dagar concedes that the margins could be something like a 2 try-difference,should they get a dry ground and they can tactically avoid the army's punishing scrum. Much will depend on Gautam,Lee,Pardeep Bisht,Bassnet and Pulkit Bhatt,for a team that has a 5th place to show for its best effort over the years. Delhi,of course,are relatively new to the sport,and share none of Kolkata or Mumbai's traditions. For home team Bombay Gymkhana,the Army Green,will be tricky opponents,though not as mighty challengers as the Army Red. "We start as favourites," says captain Nasser Hussain,who wants to stop the champions' runaway streak by reaching the finals,and winning those. Bombay Gymkhana last won the All-India in 2002,and Hussain recalls their own 4-year-reign at the top which was snapped by Sri Lanka Police. "Many senior guys here want to leave and end their competitive career on a winning note. But they keep saying that every year,because we've not been winning," he jokes. Against the Army Green side,Bombay Gymkhana would fancy its chances owing to the lack of experience in the opposition ranks. The Seconds are never as much the finished product as the Army Reds. "Against their first team,it's always been very close and we'd lost by a penalty-try in the match two years ago in Mumbai," Hussain recalls,adding,"but the Greens are beatable because of their inexperience." Though no army team in India is below average - owing to their superior,demanding fitness base-standards - Bombay Gymkhana believe they have what it takes to make the final at home,and then take a shot at the defending champs. The yellow-black stripes will look to Rohaan Sethna to get his prolific boots kicking,and also have a few fringe India players - talented Kyrus Unwala and back row Karl Tata - ringing in the next generation,even though the seasoned seniors like Hussain and Chaitanya Sinh guide them along. International Hrishikesh Pendse is out with a knee injury. The Gym boys know they can hardly take the foot off the pedal against the armymen,and are looking for redemption a year after they faced a disappointing first-round exit last year,when most of their team were busy in the Indian camp for the Commonwealth Games. "The Army Red team is dangerous. They were down 20 points against Chennai and came back to win,so even if we know they are beatable,we need to be at our best," Hussain says. First up,though,the Army Greens need to give them the green-signal. And that won't be easy in coming.
