Sri Lankan Tuskers are well prepared and will begin their Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship campaign against formidable South Korea, known as the “Mugunghwas,” on Friday, 13th June, at the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo 07, with kickoff at 4.00 pm. With this important fixture, Sri Lanka marks its return to the Asia Rugby Top 4 after their promotion, with a thumping victory at home against Malaysia in the playoff game.
Though the much-awaited battle is scheduled on a working day, all are expecting that the fixture will attract a packed crowd who are willing to witness a thrilling encounter that will run down to the wire. If Sri Lanka manages to clinch the championship, they will receive a direct qualification spot for the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. Even the runner-up side will still have a second chance to qualify by winning the playoff against Africa’s second-best team and getting through to the Final Qualification Tournament and being winners again.
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The Sri Lankan pool had undergone rigorous and intense training sessions under the watchful eyes of their newly appointed head coach and former All Blacks sevens player, Rodney Gibbs, for the last couple of weeks. Apart from the veteran, former national skipper Royalist Dushantha Lewke is looking after the forwards as usual. Further, the Isipathanian and former Sri Lankan player Lasintha de Costa is the three-quarters coach. Further, the veteran rugby administrator and ex-national skipper Rohan Chinthaka will continue his service as the team manager for yet another stint.
Recently, Sri Lanka rugby has announced a 25-member squad that features a blend of experienced players and promising young talents. Sri Lankans have well-built and powerful forwards, and their blistering three-quarters will be a threat to any Asian opponent in the open play. But finding the stamina/endurance will be a challenge to the islanders, and they have to keep their eyes on the disciplinary side of the game, as Tuskers gave away a lot of penalties against Malaysia in their last outing.
On the contrary, South Koreans, who are regularly featured in the Top 4 tournament, will be a nemesis to beat. The northern hemisphere lads have an electrified speed and power to challenge any opponent. But they have a challenge to play under the hot and humid conditions in Colombo if there will not be any adverse weather situation.
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Former Trinity and Kandy Sports Club standoff and center three-quarter, Tarinda Ratwatte, will be the skipper of the national outfit. But, Nigel Ratwatte of Kandy SC, Jayathu Rajaratne of Havelocks, and Shaahid Zumri from Kandy SC have been excluded from the squad due to illnesses. The strong third-rower from Sri Lions Sports Club, Nizran Nillar, is a surprise omission, as the tall lad has had an excellent stint with the national team. Further, the experienced Tuskers who were featured against New Zealand under 85 kg side, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Kavindu Perera, Sandesh Jayawickrama, and Janidu Dilshan, were also excluded from the squad.
The selection committee, headed by the veteran Sudath Sampath, has called in Lahiru Thilakaratne, Australian-born Sri Lankan Adam Gauder, and Pasindu Bandara to replace Nizran Nilar, Rajaratne, and Zumri, respectively.
Adam Gauder is an Australian-born player with a Sri Lankan origin, and he previously represented the CH & FC outfit about five years ago. Gauder is a grandson of the former Peterite and Kandy SC rugby player Ralph Mervyn Gauder.
After a long club rugby season and practicing as a national pool for another couple of months, the Tuskers are well prepared and ready to deliver their maximum for the glory against their tough opponents. Hence, Tharinda Ratwatte’s men will have their eyes on maintaining their winning streak after thrashing Malaysia at the same venue.
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On the other hand, this will be a crucial and must-win game for the Lankans, as they have to win both of their home games and put up a brave fight against Hong HongKong in the away game to keep the dream of qualifying for RWC 2027 alive.
The official press conference and the launch of the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025 & Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifiers tournament took place yesterday (11th June) at the Dialog Digital Arcade, Colombo 02. Further, the national rugby jersey was also displayed during the occasion.
The 25-member Sri Lanka Squad
Tarinda Ratwatte (captain and Kandy SC)
Danushka Ranjan (Kandy SC)
Dinal Ekanayake (Kandy SC)
Vimukthi Gamage (CH & FC)
Senura Perera (CR & FC)
Thanuja Jayaweera (CR & FC)
Venura Kodagoda (CR & FC)
Naveen Marasinghe (CR & FC)
Thilina Bandara (Kandy SC)
Lahiru Thilakaratne (Police SC)
Dahan Wickramarachchi (Kandy SC)
Mohammad Rifan (Havelock SC)
Thenuka Nanayakkara (CR & FC)
Hirantha Perera (Police SC)
Pasindu Bandara (CH & FC)
Dilshan Jayah (CR & FC)
Pulasthi Dassanayake (CH & FC)
Shenal Adikaram (CR & FC)
Mursheed Doray (CR & FC)
Lasindu Karunathilake (CR & FC)
Tharindu Chathuranga (Kandy SC)
Chathura Soysa (Kandy SC)
Heshan Jansen (Kandy SC)
Akash Madushanka (Police SC)
Adam Gauder (from Australia, CH & FC)
