Debut-making Sri Lankans at the mercy of Kiwis

By Shamseer Jaleel

The first of two rugby matches between Sri Lanka and the visiting New Zealand Under-85kgs side is set to light up the Race Course ground when the two teams meet under floodlights at 7 pm tonight.

Sri Lanka will be fielding 10 debutants in Hansith de Silva, Harsha Maduranga, Yuwan Pathirana, Nisal Silva, Naham Hemachandra, Viduna Amaneth, Manilka Ruberu, Diluksha Dange, Gayantha Iddamalgoda and Oliver Buckle.

Lasindu Karunathilake carries the responsibility of guiding the relatively young outfit into what promises to be a high-tempo contest. 

In the forwards, Sri Lanka possess solid firepower with Tharindu Chathuranga and Thilina Bandara expected to play pivotal roles. Their physicality and experience could be key in setting the platform.

The backline though lacking in experience has the potential to exploit space and turn the game into an open contest. 

Mursheed Doray will steer operations as fly-half while Thenuka Nanayakkara, Diluksha Dange, Akash Madushanka and Janidu Dilshan add pace and attacking flair. They will, however, face a stern test against a well-drilled opposition.

Fullback Yuwan Pathirana is likely to come under pressure, particularly with high balls under lights. Despite limited club exposure, he has shown promise in CR fixtures and earned his selection.

Head coach Dushanth Lewke will use this encounter to assess combinations, especially with only ten players retained from last year’s squad, most of them among the forwards.

The New Zealand outfit led by Jarrad Percival has experience on its side, having retained 20 players from last year. 

With referee Morgan White in charge, a fast-paced, high-quality encounter is expected in front of a packed house.

Questions have emerged ahead of the rugby series regarding the composition of the New Zealand players who may exceed the 85kgs limit. Further it was not clear how the weight was scrutinised before the commencement of the game. 

Further debate surrounds requests to shift the opening match to 7 pm kick-off and include water breaks despite cooler night conditions. 

New Zealand U-85kgs starting line-up: Simon Sia, Callum Nimmo, Jeandre du Toit, Rory Cavanagh, Bailey Clark, Josh Purdon, Josh Gellert, Pasia Asiata, Taine Cordell-Hull, Jarred Percival (captain), Pieter Swarts, Maifea Taiulu Feso, Campbell Busby, Nick Robertson and Ben Kelt

Sri Lanka starting line-up: Deshan Vimukthi, Pulasthi Dassanayake, Hansitha de Sliva, Thilina Bandara, Naveen Marasinghe, Tharindu Chathuranga, Lahiru Thilakarathne, Lasindu Karunathilake (captain), Harsha Maduranga, Mursheed Doray, Diluksha Dange, Akash Madushanka, Thenuka Nanayakara, Janidu Dilshan and Yuwan Pathirana