Defensive brilliance from the touring New Zealand Under 85kg rugby team once again proved decisive as they secured a commanding 25-10 victory over Sri Lanka in the second leg of the Sir Graham Henry Trophy at Nittawela Stadium, sealing a fully deserved 2-0 series triumph.
After a closely contested first leg that went in favour of the visitors, Sri Lanka began the second encounter with renewed determination as Thenuka Nanayakkara got proceedings underway for the Tuskers.
Sri Lanka made the perfect start, capitalizing on an early offside infringement by the visitors. A massive touch finder from Mursheed Zubair, booted from nearly 55 metres deep into the New Zealand 10-metre line, provided the hosts with an ideal attacking platform. From the ensuing lineout, hooker Pulasthi Dissanayake delivered a pinpoint throw to Thilina Bandara, allowing the Sri Lankan pack to form a powerful rolling maul. With the try line in sight, Oliver Dunn-Parrant illegally brought down the maul, leaving referee Morgan White with no option but to award a penalty try while also issuing a yellow card to the New Zealand forward. (SL 07-00 NZU85)
The visitors, however, responded strongly. Pieter Swarts launched the counterattack after fielding a clearance kick, linking brilliantly with skipper Jarred Percival, who sliced through the defence with a superb line break to bring play deep into Sri Lankan territory. Quick recycling near the posts created the opportunity for scrum-half Jackson Ephraims to exploit a gap, and his clever offload sent second-rower Jack Laity crashing over for the equalizing try. Percival added the conversion to level the scores. (SL 07-07 NZU85)
Following the explosive opening exchanges, the pace of the game settled as both sides tightened defensively. In the 21st minute, Sri Lanka were penalized for not rolling away at the breakdown, and Percival stepped up from around 40 metres to slot the penalty, handing New Zealand the lead for the first time. (SL 07-10 NZU85)
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As halftime approached, discipline again proved costly for the hosts. Sri Lanka conceded another breakdown penalty for holding on, and Percival remained flawless from the tee, adding his second penalty of the half to extend New Zealand’s advantage heading into the break.
Half Time: Sri Lanka 07 (1T,1C) – New Zealand U85KG 13 (1T,1C,2P)
The visitors began the second half with renewed intent, immediately applying pressure and earning an early penalty for a dangerous no-arms tackle. Skipper Jarred Percival delivered a superb touch finder from halfway deep into Sri Lankan territory, setting up an ideal attacking platform. Although the Tuskers initially defended well by sacking the lineout, Tom Rowland produced a moment of individual brilliance, breaking away from close range and powering through multiple defenders to score New Zealand’s second try. (SL 07-18 NZU85)
Sri Lanka responded in the 50th minute after earning a penalty for a breakdown infringement. Tempers flared shortly after, with both Jarred Percival and Lahiru Thilakaratne sent to the sin bin following off-the-ball altercations. Thenuka Nanayakkara remained composed, slotting over the penalty to reduce the deficit. (SL 10-18 NZU85)
Despite being reduced to 14 men, New Zealand continued to threaten. From a five-metre scrum, Josh Gellert made a strong surge towards the line before the ball was shifted wide. Pieter Swarts, stepping into the first receiver role, delivered a superb long pass to fullback Francis Morrison, who produced a sensational finish in the corner. Cutting back infield from near the touchline, Morrison evaded a host of defenders in a dazzling solo effort to score near the posts. Swarts added the conversion, extending the visitors’ lead once more. (SL 10-25 NZU85)
Both sides created further scoring opportunities as the match entered its closing stages, but handling errors and determined defence prevented either side from capitalizing. Sri Lanka’s biggest chance came when Kandindu De Costa broke brilliantly down the wing, only for Chad Crichton-Smith to deliberately knock on the final pass to Jayathu Rajarathne. The infringement resulted in a yellow card for the New Zealand defender.
With the numerical advantage, Sri Lanka launched wave after wave of attack, but the visitors’ defence held firm under immense pressure. Missed opportunities and crucial defensive stands ultimately denied the Tuskers a late comeback, as New Zealand sealed a deserved 2-0 series victory and lifted the Sir Graham Henry Trophy.
Full Time: Sri Lanka 10 (1T,1C,1P) – New Zealand U85KG 25 (3T,2C,2P)
Player of the Match: Francis Morrison (New Zealand U85KG)
Player of the Series: Sunia Vosikata (New Zealand U85KG)
Points Breakdown
Sri Lanka 10
Thenuka Nanayakkara 1P, Penalty Try
New Zealand U85KG 25
Jack Laity 1T, Tom Rowland 1T, Francis Morrison 1T, Jarred Percival 1C,2P, Pieter Swarts 1C
