The Sri Lankan Tuskers, who fielded a second-string XV for the first clash against the new-look but formidable New Zealand U-85 kg side, decided to strengthen their squad by fielding experienced and talented players who were sidelined. This u-turning decision may be influenced by the thumping defeat of the first encounter, and the locals will immediately look for redemption with a morale boosting performance before the Asia Rugby Top 4 battle.
A record-breaking crowd gathered last Sunday to witness the epic clash at the Nittawela, and the same atmosphere is expected in the second and final encounter, which will be played under floodlights at the Racecourse Grounds, Colombo on the 10th of May (tomorrow). To attract more spectators by giving a novel experience of a night game, Sri Lanka Rugby has decided to give free entrance to the fans.
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There is a major worry for Sri Lanka as they are missing the service of their Captain Nigel Ratwatte who was down with fever, and a replacement Skipper is yet to be announced.
The Sri Lankan camp is surely boosted by the return of their regular Captain Tharinda Ratwatte, who was unavailable for selection due to an ACL injury suffered during the Inter-Club League Tournament. Further recall of experienced and talented players like Pulasthi Dassanayake, Tharindu Chathuranga, Lasindu Karunathilake, Heshan Jansen, Danushka Ranjan, Dilan Ekanayake and Janidu Dilshan will uplift the credentials of the spirited Sri Lankan outfit.
The return of the dynamic Kandy SC Half-back Heshan Janson will bring more pace to the side, and his box kicking will be a frequent strategy for locals in the game. After the loss of Nigel Ratwatte, Tharinda Ratwatte will be likely to replace him at the fly-half position by vacating a center position, while he will join with his club mate Dhanushka Ranjan at the other center position. The young player Shahid Zumri and experienced Hirantha Perera, who featured in the center positions during the previous game, are the favorites to fill the center position.
Veteran Sri Lankan player Srinath Sooriyabandara remains unchanged in the fullback position, while blistering player Janidu Dilshan and Dilan Ekanayake, the player of the match against Malaysia, will feature as the wing three-quarters.
>>Sri Lanka and New Zealand U-85 kg squads revealed for the epic clash<<
In addition to this, there are few changes in the front row, as Lasindu Fernando and Pulasthi Dasanayake regained their loosehead prop and hooker positions by replacing Vimukthi Gamage and Shamika Kaushan, respectively. However, the tight head prop was unchanged as Thanuja Jayaweera was retained in the starting XV.
Further towering 2nd-raw players Naveen Marasinghe and Thilina Bandara were given their usual positions. The Forwards will be boosted by the recall of the fierce tackler Tharindu Chathuranga as a Flanker. Powerful CR & FC playmaker Lasindu Karunathileke regains his spot at No. 08, while Dahan Wickramarachchi is included in the squad as a replacement player. In addition to this, Sri Lions SC player Nizran Nilar will also field as a flanker in the starting XV.
Sri Lanka Starting XV
Forwards : Janidu Fernando, Pulasthi Dassanayake, Thanuja Jayaweera, Thilina Bandara, Naveen Marasinghe, Nizran Nillar, Tharindu Chathuranga, Lasindu Karunathilaka
Backs : Heshan Jansen, Tharinda Ratwatte, Dhanushka Ranjan, Janidu Dilshan, Dilan Ekanayake and Srinath Sooriyabandara
Replacements :
Venura Kodagoda, Vimukthi Gamage, Hafiz Thabeeth, Senura Perera, Lahiru Thillakaratne, Mohamed Rifan, Shahid Zumri, Akash Madushanka, Dahan Wickramarachchi, Thenuka Nanayakkara
New Zealand U-85 kg Starting XV:
Tom Rowland, Callum Nimmo, Jeandre Du Toit, Jack Laity, Ridgley Paxton, Josh Purden, Josh Gellert, Pasia Asiata, Jackson Ephraims, Jarred Percival (captain), Pieter Swarts, Ben Megson, Campbell Busby, Jamie Petford, and Francis Morrison
Replacements :
Ben Biggelaar, Rory Cavanagh, Lewis Craik, Luke Eyre, Frazer Harrison, Tyler Koning, Simon Sia, Matt Treeby, Taine Cordell-Hull, Ned Milne, Adam Preston, Eamon Reilly,
