- Weight-restricted rugby in the spotlight
Sri Lanka national rugby team Manager Rohan Chinthaka confirmed that veteran fly-half Nigel Ratwatte will lead the ‘Tuskers’ in the landmark two-match Test series against the New Zealand under-85 kg team, which is set to kick off at Nittawela on Sunday (4 May).
The second and final Test of the short series is slated to get underway at the Racecourse Grounds, Colombo on next Saturday (10 May).
The Lankan team manager said that of the experienced players who were sidelined due to injury in their lop-sided Asia Men’s Rugby Championship 2025 playoff against Malaysia on 19 April, star Kandy SC inside centre Tharinda Ratwatte would be available for selection for the final Test.
He said players of the caliber of CR and FC flanker, Adeesha Weerathunga and CH and FC prop Charith Silva were not likely to feature in the upcoming series-which will be the first since 1907 that a team from New Zealand is involved in international rugby on local soil.
Ex-Sri Lanka, CR and Isipathana full-back Chinthaka, welcomed the 14-day break the national team has had since crushing Malaysia 59-19, to guarantee their berth in among Asia’s top four alongside Hong Kong, the UAE and Korea.
Though he could not reveal any details of the team composition, The Daily Morning Sports learnt through reliable sources that wholesale changes have been made to the starting XV from the one which played against Malaysia.
Rugby analysis questioned the wisdom of axing some 11 players who started against Malaysia ahead of the game against the New Zealanders.
What is noticeable is that from the entire back division which started against Malaysia, only skipper Ratwatte has been retained and rugby analysts are concerned over the team’s think tank’s decision to opt for an inexperienced back division against an overseas team.
Chinthaka said the team will head to Nittawela on Thursday (1 May) and continue their build up to the fixture on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand under-85kg squad is scheduled to arrive in the island today (30), on a historic tour which comprises two test matches.
The Tuskers are expected to relish the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best weight-restricted rugby players from New Zealand, especially after their emphatic win against Malaysia earlier this month.
The New Zealand Under-85kg squad is packed with talent, drawn from 13 leading clubs across the country.
Twelve players featured in last season’s thrilling National Club Cup Final, representing Christchurch’s High School Old Boys Light Bears (seven players) and Auckland’s Pakuranga Black Panthers (five players).
Despite this being the first official New Zealand Under-85kg national side, the team brings significant experience and international flair.
Jarred Percival, who has previously represented the Heartland XV, adds leadership and grit to the squad.
Meanwhile, former Dutch international Tyler Koning and ex-England U18 prop Tom Rowland bring valuable overseas experience, strengthening the team’s credentials ahead of the two-match series.
New Zealand Rugby’s Head of Rugby Participation Mike Hester described the tour as a landmark moment for weight-restricted rugby.
“If the thrilling final in Wellington was anything to go by, we can expect this squad will showcase everything we love about this grade; speed, skill, and camaraderie. Having an international stage to do that on is a fantastic opportunity for these players and the promotion of this exciting version of the game,” said Hester.
The tourists are coached by Ngatai Walker, who currently serves as a skills coach with Manawatu and has previously worked with Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki Development, and New Zealand Secondary Schools sides.
Sri Lanka squad
Vimukthi Gamage, Shamika Kaushan, Thanuja Jayaweera, Naveen Marasinghe, Thilina Bandara, Nizran Nillar, Lahiru Thilakaratne, Dahan Wickramarachchi, Mohamed Rifan, Nigel Ratwatte, Kavindu Perera, Hirantha Perera, Shahid Zumri, Jayathu Rajaratne, Pasindu Bandara
Besides, the starting XV the national selectors have also named the following 21 players as standbyes – Venura Kodagoda, Janidu Fernando, Hafiz Thabeeth, Senura Perera, Chathura Zoysa, Dinesh de Silva, Sudesh Jayawickrama, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Nirosh Perera, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Janidu Dilshan, Mursheed Dorai, Dulaj Navodya, Dhanushka Ranjan, Dinal Ekanayaka, Pulasthi Dassanayake, Heshan Jansen, Yehan Bulathsinhalage, Lasindu Karunathileka, Tharindu Chathuranga, Primesh Dhanushka
(JK)