The New Zealand U85kg team – a representative team touring the country for a two-match series romped to an effortless 50-10 win over a second-string Sri Lanka outfit, in a lop-sided first Test at Nittawela last afternoon (4).
The Kiwis who have been awarded the silver fern, outscored their hosts by eight tries to one, in an exhibition of superb back play from their outside backs, with full back Francis Morrison having stood out with his sublime coordination with the forwards and threes.
Besides Morrison, the NZ 85kg forward pack also excelled with their loose trio of blindside flanker Josh Furdon named player-of-the-match, openside flanker Josh Gellert and number eight Pasia Asiata, being impressive in both attack and defence, as they clinically nullified the home team’s threats.
The Lankans were simply not at the races on the day and their defence was at sixes and sevens, disappointing a large crowd at the famed venue, being unable to cope with their opponents’ superior pace and physicality.
Strangely they looked fatigued and bereft of ideas, as the game wore on being unable to withstand the try barrage from their efficient rivals.
The visitors who led 26-7 at half time, swelled their score through eight tries of which five were converted, while the home side could only muster a converted try and a penalty goal in a clear mismatch.
It may further underscore the challenge Sri Lanka is set to face against the likes of South Korea, the UAE and Hong Kong during the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship in June-July.
Sri Lanka had obviously tinkered with their full-strength squad ahead of yesterday’s clash with the intention of giving exposure to the wider squad.
However, their overall display last afternoon, just about indicated how much they need to tighten up, if they intend to make their presence felt, in the Asia Rugby Championship 2027 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers during the next two-month period.
For the Kiwis outstanding number eight Pasia Asiata and omnipresent full back Francis Morrison, led the try spree with a brace each, while skipper and fly-half Jared Percival, right-wing Jamie Petford, inside-centre Ben Megson and second-row Jack Laity also crossed the whitewash.
For the tourists’, captain cum first five-eighth Percival who controlled the proceedings for his team beautifully from the pivotal position, contributed 13 points via a try and four conversions, while substitute back Taine-Cordell Hull nailed the final conversion five minutes from full time.
For the outclassed Lankans, number eight Dahan Wickramarachchi managed to grab their solitary five-pointer in the 19th minute after 80 minutes of trying, while skipper Ratwatte fired across a 40-metre penalty in the 43rd minute, for their sole scoring after the turn around.
Asiata, Petford, Megson and Laity respectively scored for the visitors in the first 40-minute period, while Percival, Asiata and Morrison twice, registered the touchdowns in the second half.
The visitors who are popularising the weight-restricted rugby category, thus brought down the high-riding Lankans back to earth, following their similar one-sided hammering of Malaysia (59-19) in their Asia Rugby Championship Men’s fixture at Colombo on 19 April.
The two teams will now head to Colombo, to contest the second and final Test at Race Course Grounds on Saturday (10), where the overall winners of the series will be presented with the Sir Graham Henry Trophy-named in honour of the 2011 New Zealand Rugby World Cup-winning coach.