• Kiwis on local soil for the first time since 1907
• International game amidst SLR legal quagmire

Sri Lanka is set to host a National Rugby team from New Zealand for the first time in 118 years, despite the game’s local administration being in the doldrums for almost a year.

This comes in the backdrop of the New Zealand Under-85 kg team’s arrival late this month, to face the Lankan ‘Tuskers’, in two Tests in May.

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) stands currently disbanded and its work is overseen by a Competent Authority (CA) who also is the Director General (DG) of the Sports Ministry Shemal Fernando.

Rugby analysts observed hosting an International Rugby team via the combined efforts of a few legendary former players such as Imithisham Marikkar, Asanga Seneviratne, Priyantha Ekanayake and retired group captain Nalin de Silva, with corporate backing, is a shot in the arm for the game in this country.

It is said that on the sidelines of the New Zealand Under-85 kg team’s tour to the island-nation, the 2011 Webb Ellis Cup-winning 78-year-old ex-All Blacks head coach Sir Graham Henry, will also be in the country, with the concept being his brainchild. 

These details were divulged to the press, at a media briefing held at Cinnamon Grand Hotel on Wednesday (2), by the organisers of the two games, with Dialog as the title sponsor.

A rugby team from the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’, had first arrived in Ceylon, way back in 1907, and in the game’s amateur era, to play a Test against the Islanders at Longden Place (CR and FC Grounds) which the tourists had won 33-6.

Since then no rugby team from the Kiwi land had featured in any internationals with their Lankan counterparts on these shores.

Hence the forthcoming matches, fixed for 4 May (Nittawela) and 10 May (Race Course Grounds) at a cost of Rs. 60 million, are set to assume landmark status, despite it being confined to the 85 kg weight class.

Whilst Sri Lanka may not boast as rich a rugby history as New Zealand, the island-nation shares a fascinating link with legendary All Black Sir Colin Meads, widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of all time.

It is said that Meads had played his first match in the revered black jersey in Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon) for the NZ Colts side in 1955, with this historic connection, adding a poignant dimension to the upcoming series.

For the series the Lankan ‘Tuskers’ will field an open-weight team, with one crucial exception-all Sri Lankan props must weigh below 105kg.

Organisers of the two games revealed this restriction has been implemented as a prudent safety measure, ensuring the wellbeing of all players whilst maintaining competitive integrity.

It was also disclosed that the Under-85 kg rugby division is not currently played anywhere in Asia, making the upcoming series especially groundbreaking for the region.

In spite of the weight classification, the NZ side is expected to provide formidable opposition for the locals, while showcasing the phenomenal skill and tactical nous, which are the hallmarks of New Zealand rugby at all levels.

It was also announced that the NZ Under-85 kg rugby national representative team was officially formed only last year, marking a significant development in weight-restricted rugby.

At the time of its formation, NZ Rugby (NZR) had indicated that they were in discussions with another National Union about an overseas tour in 2025 – with those discussions evidently culminating in the Sri Lankan tour.

The Sri Lanka team will enter this series in fine form, having claimed the Asia Rugby Division-1 title in 2024.

Their competitive calendar remains busy, with a critical relegation and promotion fixture against Malaysia, scheduled for 19 April at the Race Course Grounds, determining movement between the top tier and Division 1 in Asia Rugby.