Sri Lanka’s 140-plus-year rugby narrative is set to turn on its head as the island nation hosts an All Blacks rugby team in the Under 85 kg category only for the second time in history in the first of two games in Nittawela this afternoon (4).
The only occasion when a rugby team from New Zealand featured in a match on local soil was back in 1907, and since then, no encounters have been played between the two nations either here or on New Zealand soil, which makes today’s clash a landmark affair.
The Lankans, also known as Tuskers, led by experienced fly-half Nigel Ratwatte, are gearing up for this significant match-up against the New Zealand’s famed Under 85 kg All Blacks in what could be a defining chapter for the crisis-plagued game here.
The skipper clarified to the media in the lead-up to the crunch series that he had never retired from national duty and that he had only called it a day from representing his domestic club Kandy SC.
He attributed the recent media reports swirling around his overall retirement to a misunderstanding among the local press contingent and put the record straight.
Ratwatte viewed the two-match series against the tourists as a rare occasion that offered his players invaluable exposure to test their mettle against one of the premier rugby brands in the world game.
“It’s a historic moment for rugby in this country,” the 35-year-old playmaker told the media on Wednesday (30 April).
“The All Blacks are a superior force in world rugby, so having them tour here, even in the U85 kg category, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our players and fans alike. It’s no doubt great exposure to play against a top-tier setup,” he added.
He also spoke glowingly of the weight-restricted format, suggesting it provided a more grounded benchmark for Sri Lanka to gauge their position in the 15-man code against overseas teams.
“I think it’s great for the sport, especially for countries like us. It gives us a yardstick to measure where we stand and how far we need to go. Matching up with the All Blacks in a category like U85 kg helps us understand the differences in level more clearly,” Ratwatte added.
The five-eighth was however cautiously optimistic as to how his men would front up to the visitors today, insisting that they were hoping not to disappoint local fans, who are expected to pack the Kandy venue in their numbers.
“At the end of the day, they are the All Blacks, but mark my words, we are going to give it everything we’ve got,” the seasoned out-half, who is expected to be the goal-kicker for the hosts, added in an upbeat tone.
“It’ll be a challenge, but it’s up to us to adapt to game day and see how we can manage the situation, and that is part of the process of building a team,” he said.
Selectors have revamped the three-quarter line of the starting XV, with the exception of the Captain, from the one that thumped Malaysia 59-19 in the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship playoff last month in Colombo, by recalling two impact players to give them international exposure.
The local club rugby season’s highest try scorer Jayathu Rajaratne of Havelock SC and Kandy SC’s gifted back Shahid Zumri have been included in the run onside after both were not chosen for the game against Malaysia.
The selectors have also reportedly rested the likes of Heshan Jansen, Danushka Ranjan, Dinal Ekanayake, Lasindu Karunathilaka, Tharindu Chathuranga, and Murshid Doray with the intention of giving match experience to the wider squad.
This they have done with the aim of keeping the players on their toes, as far as competition for places are concerned, in view of the Tuskers’ engagements in the Asia Rugby Championship, where they are to meet the UAE, South Korea, and heavyweights Hong Kong in June and July.
(JK)
Sri Lanka
Vimukthi Gamage, Shamika Kaushan, Thanuja Jayaweera, Naveen Marasinghe, Thilina Bandara, Nizran Nilar, Lahiru Thilakarathna, Dahan Wickramaarachchi, Mohammed Rifan, Nigel Ratwatte (C), Kavindu Perera, Hirantha Perera, Shahid Zumri, Jayathu Rajatatne, and Pasindu Bandara
New Zealand U85 kg
Tom Rowland, Callum Nimmo, Jeandre Du Toit, Jack Laity, Tyler Koning, Josh Purden, Josh Gellert, Pasia Asiata, Jackson Ephraims, Jarred Percival (C), Ben Scott, Ben Megson, Campbell Busby, Jamie Petford, and Francis Morrison
Referee: J.P. Clements (The UAE)
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