Monday May 04, 2026
Monday May 04, 2026
Friday, 24 April 2026 02:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Jersey Handover by the New Zealand Rugby Team
By Shamseer Jaleel
Sri Lanka XV will face a stern test against the visiting New Zealand Under-85kg side in a two-match series designed to sharpen the national outfit ahead of next month’s Asia Rugby Top 4 tournament. The fixtures are expected to provide critical match exposure as Sri Lanka prepares for a demanding regional campaign.
Maliban will be the main sponsor of the New Zealand Under-85kg tour of Sri Lanka for the second consecutive year, continuing its support for the island’s emerging rugby talent.
The opening encounter will take place at the Racecourse Ground on 25 April under lights at 7 p.m., while the second fixture is scheduled for 3 May at Nittawela Stadium in Kandy, kicking off at 4 p.m.
The two venues will offer contrasting playing conditions, providing Sri Lanka with much-needed adaptability against a well-structured New Zealand outfit.
History will be made as Lasindu Karunathilake becomes the first player from Science College to captain the Sri Lanka XV-a-side team. After leaving school, Karunathilake played for Havelocks for seven years before moving to CR & FC, where he has spent the past four years. Under his leadership, CR secured a rugby double, winning both the League and Knockout tournaments.
He will be assisted by Tharindu Chaturanga, the former Kingswood College and Kandy SC skipper, whose experience is expected to add stability and leadership to the side.
Sri Lanka Rugby President Pavithra Fernando said the series forms part of a longer-term plan to establish a reciprocal arrangement, with tours expected to alternate annually between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. He added that such exposure would help local players adjust to overseas conditions, with further discussions to follow after the completion of the two-match series.
Karunathilake acknowledged that injuries have side-lined several key players but remained confident in the squad, noting that nearly 10 members from last year’s tour have been retained. He said that while the forwards bring experience, the younger three-quarters possess the attacking edge to exploit gaps.
New Zealand Under-85kg skipper Jared Percival said his team expects a physical challenge from the Sri Lankan pack but is fully prepared. He added that they will not take Sri Lanka lightly and aim to build on last year’s performances. Meanwhile, Karunathilake said his players are ready to commit fully in both Colombo and Kandy, with the series serving as vital preparation ahead of matches against Hong Kong, South Korea and the UAE in the Asia Rugby Top 4.
