Sri Lanka Rugby announced the historic visit of the New Zealand Under 85kg national team to Sri Lanka next month for two highly anticipated matches against the Sri Lankan team.

This landmark tour comes in response to an invitation extended by SLR early last year. The two-match series will see the sides face off on May 4, at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy, and again on May 10, at the Race Course Grounds in Colombo.

While Sri Lanka may not boast the same storied rugby tradition as New Zealand, the island nation shares a special connection with the All Blacks through Sir Colin Meads. Widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of all time, Meads played his first game in the famous black jersey in then Ceylon in mid 1950s, as part of the NZ Colts side. That link adds a nostalgic touch to this exciting tour.

The matches promise to offer Sri Lankan players a rare and invaluable opportunity to challenge themselves against a technically sound and tactically astute side from New Zealand—arguably the world’s most celebrated rugby nation.

Crucially, the tour will also contribute to the continued development of the sport in Sri Lanka. Exposure to high-level competition is expected to equip local players with insights into advanced strategies, gameplay structure, and professionalism.

The Sri Lanka Tuskers will field an open-weight team, with one key restriction: all prop forwards must weigh under 105kg.

Notably, the Under 85kg rugby division is not currently played anywhere in Asia, making this event a groundbreaking initiative for the region. Despite their weight classification, the New Zealand side is expected to deliver a high standard of rugby, with their trademark skill and tactical sharpness on full display.

The Tuskers head into this series in strong form, having clinched the Asia Rugby Division 1 title in 2024. Their packed schedule continues in April 2025 with a crucial promotion-relegation match against Malaysia, which will determine whether Sri Lanka ascends to Asia’s top tier.

The New Zealand Under 85kg team, officially launched in 2024, represents a significant step in the development of weight-grade rugby globally. Initial discussions with a national union about a 2025 overseas tour have now materialized into this exciting visit to Sri Lanka.

Live coverage of both matches will be available on Dialog Television – ThePapare TV HD (Channel 126), as well as online via ThePapare.com and the Dialog ViU App.

91st Battle of the Saints

Electing to bat first St. Peter’s reached 176 for seven wickets at stumps against St. Joseph’s on day one of the 91st Battle of the Saints Big Match at the SSC ground on Thursday.

After skipper Oween Salgado was given out leg before wicket to paceman Manasa Madubashana in the fifth over of the day, the Petes were cautious in their approach and scored at just over two runs an over to reach stumps with three wickets in hand.

The Joes will consider it their day with Nusha Perera and Demion de Silva taking two wickets each to trouble their opponents

Open bat Dilana Damsara top scored with 44 runs. He faced 94 deliveries for his knock which contained six fours and a six.

Scores

St. Peter’s

176 for seven in 71.4 overs (Dilana Damsara 44, Nathan David 29, Asadisa de Silva 38,  Joshua Sebastian 27, Tharin Sanketh 20n.o.; Nusha Perera 2/29, Demion de Silva 2/47) (RF)

Battle of the Blues- Ruhuna

St. Servatius’ will have a daunting task striving for the elusive victory at the annual Battle of the Blues of Ruhuna as their arch rivals St. Thomas’ enter the 2025 edition of the Big Match as one of the top teams in the schools cricket arena.

History is against St. Servatius’. They have not tasted a victory in the annual big match for more than five decades. Nimal Munaweera led outfit won their last big match way back in 1971. St. Servatius’ could not enjoy much success this season. Vishwa Supun led outfit will have to punch above their weight if they to be on par with St. Thomas’.

Thomians under the captaincy of Pesandu Sanjan enjoyed one of their best seasons  where they came almost close to earning the Tier ‘A’ promotion. Pesandu Sanjan will look forward to continue the good work to conclude the season on a positive note. His team registered three outright victories (in the  tournament matches) including a crushing five wickets victory over Ananda with skipper Sanjan and Manuga Guruge running riot in the second innings (Ananda 47 all out).

ST THOMAS’ COLLEGE TEAM Front row from left: G G Pesandu Sanjan [Captain], M G Yasith Deshvan [Assistant Coach], Dinusha Jayasanka [Head Coach], J Jayawardhana [Deputy Principal – Sports], G P N Perera [Principal], H K Delip Kumara [Prefect of Games], Asanga Welhengoda [Master in Charge], S Y T Lakruwan [Master in Charge], I G Praveen Madushan [Junior Coach], V H Lakshitha Induwara Diksith [Vice Captain] Middle row from left: W Yomiru Saswin, D Dinara Iddamalgoda, M W Punal Pamuditha, W A Kumesh Nawanjana, M A Senura Gihan Abeysekara, P G Ochintha Chamika, K G Manuga Yonal, A Abdul Maajid, K G Thathsara Dewmith, B Vihanga Sankalana, S S Sashindu Methpahan, E A Dinura Pavinji Jayanatha Back row from left: N G A Senith Sulakshana, Abdul Rasheed, O W Sethuja Mandinu, R R Paranavithana, H S Thathsara Vimukthi, W Vindila Chanuth Minsitha

St. Thomas’ will expect Sanjan to play a lead role in the batting line up. He has scored over 1000 runs this season and was the leading batsman of the tournament at one stage.

Ochintha Chamika and Punal Pamuditha open batting for St. Thomas’, while Senura Gihan, Thathsara Dewmith, Abdul Maajid, Kumesh Nawanjana and Sanjan form the top order batting lineup.

Their pace attack include Loshitha Diksith, Ochintha Chamika and left armer Shashindu Methpahan. With spinners dominating at Uyanwatta, the spotlight is expected to fall on left-arm spinner Manuga Guruge who has taken over 50 wickets this season.

For St. Servatius’ skipper Vishwa Supun is the most reliable batsman. He has scored close to 600 runs. Viran Chamuditha (close to 500 runs), Chamarindu Nethsara and Sanju Dilshan are the others to have contributed with the bat.

Spinner Praveen Madusanka is their leading wicket taker, while Samiru Gimhan, Raveen Kavintha and Chamuditha provide additional support. Sanju Dilshan and Risinu Kithmuka will share the new ball.

St. Thomas’ lead the victory tally of the series 32-27. Thomians are the last winners of the big match having won under the captaincy of Tharaka Dushyantha in 2007.

by Reemus Fernando