Maliban props up NZ U85kg team

Maliban officials handing over the New Zealand jersey to the captain and vice captain

By Shamseer Jaleel  

The New Zealand under-85kg outfit will play their first match on tour against Sri Lanka led by Nigel Ratwatte at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium on Sunday. Maliban will be the official partner of the NZ Under 85kg on tour.  

Kick-off is scheduled at 4.00 p.m.  

New Zealand last toured Sri Lanka in 1955 when NZ Colts outfit toured while the All Blacks outfit toured the Island in 1907 on their way to England.   

New Zealand support staff was involved in a coaching session at Nittawela yesterday.  

NZ under 85 kg skipper, Jarred Percival speaking to Daily Mirror at a press briefing held at Cinnamon Myst in Kandy said: “We had a training camp one week ago. We played our club rugby from Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington and all met one week back. Our training sessions were great and we grouped and got to know the lads in the team. We are very happy to be in Sri Lanka not only playing the two games but involve ourselves in several community projects in this beautiful island nation. We want to give our best shot at these two games at the same time help out school kids to improve their game as a community project. We also want to thank Maliban who is our partner on tour.”  

NZ coach Ngatai Walker said: “We have been watching Sri Lanka performances in the last few tournaments. We had a very good preparation, we love to have this tournament to be a reciprocal one. Players came from several provinces and we had two training days in Auckland and we are well prepared for this tour.”  

Sri Lanka skipper, Nigel Ratwatte speaking said: “After the Malaysian game we reduced the outfit to 25 and we have a very young side, we want to give out our best this Sunday in our very first encounter. We are well prepared and want to hear the Haka live at Nittawela.”  

National Sports Council Member, Rohan Abeykoon said: “Inthi Marikar and Sir Graham Henry co-ordinated this event and lot of hard work put in and we are excited to see this tour goes on not only the rugby matches but the relationship of both countries to improve.”  

He said plans are to get two more teams from Japan and Australia to play as a Quadrangle event going forward.  

Sri Lanka squad (likely): Dahan Wickremaarachchi, Mohamed Nizran, Janith Marasinghe, Nigel Ratwatte (captain), Mohamed Rifan, Hirantha Perera, Shaahid Zumri, Kavindu Perera, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Jayathu Rajarathna, Janidu Dilshan, Chatura Soysa, Sandesh Jayawickrema, Nirosh Perera, Hafiz Thabith, Venura Kodagoda, Lahiru Thilakarathne, Dinesh de Silva, Pasindu Bandara, Thilina Bandara and Vimukthi Gamage.  

New Zealand Under 85kg: Tom Rowland, Callum Nimmo, Jeandre Du Toit, Jack Laity, Tyler Koning, Josh Purdon, Josh Gellert (vice captain), Pasia Asoata, Jackson Ephraims, Jarred Percival (captain), Ben Scott, Ben Megson, Campbell Busby, Jamie Petford and Fancis Morrison.  

Subs: Simon Sia, Matt Treeby, Frazer Harrison, Rory Cavanagh, Lewis Craik, Taine Cordell Hull, Eamon Reily and Pieter Swarts.  

Referee: J.P. Clements