NZ Under-85 kg clinch  Sir Graham Henry Trophy

By Shamseer Jaleel

In a landmark fixture that celebrated the return of New Zealand rugby to Sri Lankan soil after a staggering 70 years, New Zealand Under-85kg rugby team proved too strong for their hosts, defeating a spirited Sri Lankan outfit 32/6 in front of a sell-out crowd at the Race Course Ground in Colombo last weekend. 

At the short breather visitors led 17/3.

The match, brimming with intensity and national pride, marked the second and final game of the series, sealing a 2/0 sweep for the Kiwis, who lifted the Sir Graham Henry Trophy with an emphatic 82/16 aggregate score line.

Despite the margin of defeat, the Sri Lankan team displayed grit, determination, and flashes of brilliance throughout the contest. From the opening whistle, they met their formidable opponents with fierce tackling and committed defence. The locals rallied behind their team in full voice, creating a carnival-like atmosphere that celebrated rugby’s ability to unite cultures and nations.

Some basic handling errors on attack put the Sri Lankan outfit missing nearly 2 scoring opportunities in the game. Sri Lankan winger, Dinal Ekanayake, Scrum half Heshan Jensen, Fly half Tarinda Ratwatte and Fullback Sooriyabandara looked solid both in attack as well as indefensible along with their Skipper Danushka Ranjan. While forwards player Pulasthi Dissanayake and Nizran Nihlar looked rock solid with Thilina Bandara who had a grand outfit, replacements Shaahid Zumri and Mohamed Rifan too stood out for the hosts later in the second half with some ghosting moves which put the NZ defence all over.

New Zealanders, however, showed why they are considered as one of the most technically sound lightweight teams in the world. Their structured approach, rapid recycling of possession, and clinical execution under pressure gradually wore down the Sri Lankan resistance. Skipper James Percival led from the front, crossing over for two tries that highlighted his sharp rugby and positional awareness.

Pieter Swarts, Josh Gellert, and Francis Morrison also dotted down for the visitors, each demonstrating their team’s flair and cohesion. Morridon’s effort, in particular, came after a sweeping backline move that showcased the visitors’ speed and precision—a hallmark of Kiwi rugby at any level. The conversions and tactical kicking from the visitors kept Sri Lanka pinned back for long periods. Eamon Relly put over the only penalty for the NZ outfit.

Sri Lanka, to their credit, had their moments. Playmaker Tarinda Ratwatte held his nerve to slot over two penalties, and his kicking from hand offered some territorial relief during intense Kiwi pressure. However, Sri Lanka failed to convert at least two clear scoring opportunities in the first half – one due to a knock-on five meters out, and another when a line break was halted by a superb cover tackle from Gellert.

Handling errors at crucial moments proved to be Sri Lanka’s Achilles heel. Several promising phases ended in turnovers, which the New Zealanders capitalised on with ruthless efficiency. It was in these fine margins that the game was ultimately won and lost. While the scoreboard may reflect a comfortable Kiwi win, the contest itself was far more competitive.

Referee Jaco de Wit kept proceedings flowing with minimal stoppages, allowing both sides to express themselves. The spirit of the match was commendable, with both teams showing mutual respect, often applauding each other’s efforts and maintaining a high standard of discipline throughout the 80 minutes.

For New Zealand, the victory was more than just a series win—it marked a symbolic return to a country with deep rugby roots. The Sir Graham Henry Trophy, named in honour of the legendary All Blacks Coach who once served as a technical consultant in Sri Lanka, was a fitting prize for a series that blended tradition, skill, and cross-cultural camaraderie.

From Sri Lanka’s perspective, the match provided valuable lessons and underscored the potential of the nation’s lighter-framed players in this exciting global variant of the game. The lads will get a good learning out of these two outings before starting their pathway for the Rugby World Cup 2027 journey when they face Hong Kong, South Korea and UAE in the Asia Rugby Top 4 encounters which will be featured from next month onwards. They will play UAE and South Korea at home before flying out to Hong Kong later part of June 2025. The winner will be selected automatically for the RWC 2027 while the second placed team will get another opportunity in a home and away coach against the second placed outfit from the African region.