- Rugby is stable after past turmoil: Minister
- Kieran Reid to headline NZ tour
Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Pavithra Fernando is firmly of the view that Sri Lanka will not be mentally-scarred when facing the New Zealand U85 kg team next month and maintained that the Tuskers would be better for the experience.
“I don’t think so. In fact, we performed exceedingly well against both South Korea and UAE last year and this time around the players have gone through a very grueling domestic club season and there will be two practice matches against the Malaysian A team as well in the runup to the NZ games. So, on the contrary I feel we’ll be far from mentally-scarred,” he said.
Fernando made these remarks at a media briefing held at Cinnamon Life on Thursday (26) to announce the upcoming two-match series against the New Zealand representative side.
He expressed optimism that Sri Lanka would make a stronger impact in the Asia Rugby Emirates Championship, including against Hong Kong, unlike last season. He added that with a rigorous training schedule set to be implemented soon, the team was determined not to disappoint its strong local following, expressing his hope that both teams would compete while upholding the values and ethics of the sport.
He noted that this was not just a tournament but a significant chance for local players to advance in the game, adding that Sri Lanka aimed to progress further within Asia this year.
Meanwhile, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Sunil Kumara Gamage, also addressing the media, stated that when the Government took office, rugby was on the brink of being banned.
“After facing eight court cases, we have brought the sport to a stable level. Last year, we moved from seventh to third place in Asia in Sevens,” he opined.
“Rugby is now systematically moving forward, enabling us to host the New Zealand team for the second time. In fact, sports are a primary path to taking Sri Lanka to the world.”
The New Zealand U85 kg team is slated to arrive here on 20 April, with the first Test to be played at the Racecourse Grounds, Colombo under floodlights five days later, while the second and final Test is to be held at the Nittawela Stadium on 3 May.
It was also revealed at the media launch that former All Blacks captain Kieran Reid – one of the most-capped players in New Zealand national rugby union team history, with 127 Test appearances, including 52 as captain, between 2013 and 2019 – will attend the tour as the guest of honour.
Reid, a dynamic number eight, was a key member of New Zealand national rugby union team World Cup-winning sides in 2011 and 2015 under Richie McCaw. A former World Rugby Player of the Year (2013), he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
(JK)