Sri Lanka has fallen back on a foreign rugby coach in the form of hiring Rodney Gibbs, New Zealand Assistant Coach of the Sevens team, to face the challenge of South Korea, Hong Kong and UAE, as part of the Asia rugby Top 4 Series, informed sources told The Daily Morning Sports.

According to these sources, Gibbs appointment has been realised through the links of Inthi Marikar, the new Director of Coaching for the Tuskers and based on a recommendation from New Zealand Rugby (NZR). 

The 55-year-old comes with a perfect track record, with him being the All Blacks Assistant Coach for its Sevens team for the World Series Paris Olympics last summer.

Gibbs hailing from the suburb of Papamoa in North Island, New Zealand including a personal statement into his Curriculum Vitae (CV) has said that “I see myself as someone with a good work ethic, that has based my working life on a foundation of building relationships, continual learning and growth. I have a very professional attitude to my work and enjoy being part of a team environment.”

Among his coaching qualifications have been being a World Rugby Coach Educator (2016-25), following International Rugby Academy NZ Advanced Coaches’ Course (2007), Level 3 NZ Rugby Football Union Advanced Coaching Course (2005) and possessing a Certificate in Practical Rugby Coaching (2005).

The new coach, who is due to link up with his new charges over the weekend, is primarily contracted for the 2027 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers, these sources further confirmed.

Gibbs, who takes over from Sanath Martis, will have former Sri Lanka captain Dushanth Lewke as the forwards coach, with ex-CR and FC star Lasintha de Costa being named as the backs coach, taking over from Saliya Kumara.

Kumara, the ex-national and Kandy SC scrum half, it is learnt has stood down from his post due to his increasing coaching commitments with St. Anthony’s, ahead of the 2025 Under-19 Inter-school Rugby League Tournament. 

(JK)