Sri Lanka lock horns with Malaysia in Asia Rugby Top 4 Qualifier

By: Shamseer Jaleel

In what promises to be a gripping and high-stakes XV-a-side rugby contest, Sri Lanka will face off against Malaysia tomorrow in the Asia Rugby Top 4 qualification encounter at the Racecourse Ground in Colombo.

The match, scheduled to kick off at 4.00 p.m, carries immense significance as both teams eye a coveted spot alongside Hong Kong, South Korea, and the UAE in the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship, which serves as a key pathway to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. With fervent local support expected to pack the stands, the atmosphere is set for a spectacle of top-tier Asian rugby.

Sri Lanka, known for its fast-paced and flair-driven style of rugby, will be captained by the experienced Nigel Ratwatte. Tarinda Ratwatte, who has been ruled out for three weeks due to an injury sustained during training will be badly missed as he is considered to be the number one player at present. Nigel, a versatile backline player, brings with him a wealth of experience and composure, which will be crucial in guiding a talented yet youthful Lankan outfit against a physical and tactically disciplined Malaysian side.

The home side will field a formidable line-up featuring several of the island nation’s brightest rugby talents. The starting XV is expected to include Lasindu Karunathilake, a powerful ball carrier with a high work rate, and Heshan Jensen, whose tactical awareness and tackling ability make him a key figure in the back row.

The dynamic Akash Madushanka adds agility and speed to the backline, while seasoned campaigners like Danushka Ranjan and Dinal Ekanayake are capable of breaking defensive lines with sheer athleticism. Mursheed Doray, a livewire in open play, rounds off a well-balanced team that blends youth with experience.

Malaysia, for their part, arrived in Colombo three days back with high hopes of upsetting the hosts and securing a crucial qualification victory. They have steadily risen through the ranks in Asian rugby over the past decade and bring a well-drilled squad capable of matching Sri Lanka in both set pieces and open play. With a mix of robust forwards and fleet-footed backs, the Malaysian side will be aiming to impose themselves early and disrupt Sri Lanka’s natural rhythm.

Their physicality, especially in the rucks and mauls, could prove to be a decisive factor in this encounter. Victory in tomorrow’s clash carries more than just immediate bragging rights-it guarantees automatic qualification to the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship. That tournament, featuring the continent’s best teams, doubles as a direct route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The winner of this qualification match will enter the prestigious round-robin format of the Top 4, facing South Korea on June 13 and the UAE on July 4, both on home turf, before travelling to Causeway Bay in Hong Kong for a crucial away fixture on June 22.

However, all is not lost for the team that finishes as runner-up in this qualification game. The second-placed side will have another shot at the World Cup pathway. They will engage in a home-and-away playoff against the runner-up from the Pacific Islands regional qualification tournament. While this alternative route is more arduous, it still offers a lifeline to the grand stage of global rugby in 2027, keeping the dreams of both teams very much alive. Sri Lanka will look to capitalise on their home advantage, with a passionate crowd backing them from the sidelines.

The Racecourse Ground, steeped in rugby history and tradition, is expected to be a cauldron of energy and excitement. The stadium has been meticulously prepared for the occasion, and with favourable weather conditions expected, everything points to an afternoon of thrilling rugby action that could go down to the Referee: Jaco do Wit (South Africa).

TEAMS Sri Lanka: Janidu Fernando, Pulasthi Dissanayake, Senura Perera, Naveen Marasinghe, Thilina Bandara, Nizraan Nilar, Tharindu Chathuranga, Lasindu Karunathilake, Hehshan Jensen, Nigel Ratwatte (captain), Janidu Dilshan, Akash Madushanka, Danushka Ranjan, Dinal Ekanayake and Mursheed Doray Malaysia: Azri Rosnan, Amirul Amizan, Harith Hereiezal, Shobrey Amok, Sameer Surinder, Syarif Muzhaimey (captain), Ryan Long, Nasharuddin Ismail, Amirul Hakim Kamsol, Hakim Termizi, Samuela Tamanisau, Afifuddin Misruji, Daim Zainudin and Luqman Hassan