While excitement is building across Sri Lanka as the newest official New Zealand rugby team set to face Sri Lankan rugby outfit by scripting a new chapter in the islender’s rugby history, the playing squads have been revealed officially by the authorities.
Selection committee led by Mr. Sudath Fernando understandably decided to rest a few key players as Sri Lanka will play in Asian Rugby Championship 2025 after a few weeks, which will be a qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup 2027. Hence Heshan Jensen, Danushka Ranjan, Dinal Ekanayake, Lasindu Karunathilake, Tharindu Chathuranga, Pulasthi Dasanayake, Akash Madushanka and Mursheed Doray were rested to avoid injuries.
>>New Zealand Under 85kg Rugby Team, Set to Make the History<<
To strengthen the side the former Sri Lankan captain and Kandy SC legend Srinath Sooriyabandara, Kavindu Perera, Hirantha Perera and Sandesh Jayawikrama recalled for the national outfit. Further the league rugby tournament’s top try scorer and surprising omission against Malaysia, Jayathu Rajarathna who has been included. Apart from them, Shaahid Zumri, Chathura Soyza, Hafiz Thabith, Dinesh de Silva, Lahiru Thilakaratne and Shamika Kaushan were selected to the final squad to inject some young blood.
Sri Lanka squad:
- Nigel Ratwatte (Kandy SC – Captain)
- Srinath Sooriyabandara (Kandy SC)
- Kavindu Perera (Kandy SC)
- Shaahid Zumri (Kandy SC)
- Hirantha Perera (Police SC)
- Sandesh Jayawikrama (Havelock SC)
- Jayathu Rajarathna (Havelock SC)
- Janindu Fernando (Havelock SC)
- Senura Perera (CR & FC)
- Naveen Marasinghe (CR & FC)
- Thilina Bandara (Kandy SC)
- Chathura Soysa (Kandy SC)
- Mohommad Nizraan Nilar (Sri Lions SC)
- Venura Kodagoda (CR & FC)
- Vimukthi Gamage (CH & FC)
- Thanuja Jayaweera (CR & FC)
- Nirosh Perera (CH & FC)
- Dahan Wickramarachchi (Kandy SC)
- Mohammad Rifan (Havelock SC)
- Thenuka Nanayakkara (CR & FC)
- Pasindu Bandara (CH & FC)
- Hafiz Thabith (Police SC)
- Lahiru Thilakaratne (Police SC)
- Dinesh De Silva (CH & FC)
- Shamika Kaushan (Air Force SC)
The counterpart New Zealand u-85 kg side has been selected from 13 leading clubs and twelve of the players who were featured in last season’s club cup final.
New Zealand Under 85kg Squad
Forwards:
- Pasia Asiata (Poneke Wanderers, Wellington)
- Ben Biggelaar (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland)
- Rory Cavanagh (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland)
- Lewis Craik (Morrinsville Majestic Pukekos, Waikato)
- Jeandre Du Toit (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland)
- Luke Eyre (Massey Rock n Rumble, North Harbour)
- Josh Gellert (Auckland University Slug Collectors, Auckland)
- Frazer Harrison (Auckland University Squids, Auckland)
- Tyler Koning (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
- Jack Laity (Auckland University Slug Collectors, Auckland)
- Callum Nimmo (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
- Ridgley Paxton (Karaka Razzlers, Counties Manukau)
- Josh Purdon (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
- Tom Rowland (Eden Lizards, Auckland)
- Simon Sia (Morrinsville Majestic Pukekos, Waikato)
- Matt Treeby (Tawa Ducks, Wellington)
Backs:
- Campbell Busby (Auckland University Squids, Auckland)
- Taine Cordell-Hull (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
- Jackson Ephraims (Takapuna Bombers, North Harbour)
- Ben Megson (Grammar TEC Old Boys, Auckland)
- Ned Milne (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
- Francis Morrison (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland)
- Jarred Percival (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury) – Captain
- Jamie Petford (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland)
- Adam Preston (Tawa Ducks, Wellington)
- Eamon Reilly (Ponsonby Hustlers, Auckland)
- Ben Scott (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
- Pieter Swarts (East Coast Bays Badgers, North Harbour)
Coach: Ngatai Walker
Manager: Grant Wilson
