Nigel Ratwatte spearheads Sri Lanka’s rugby revival: ‘I never retired’

Nigel Ratwatte 

By Allaam Ousman 

Nigel Ratwatte never walked away from the national jersey - he was just waiting for the call.

As whispers swirled of retirement, Sri Lanka’s seasoned full back was quietly preparing for one more run. When the call finally came, not only did he return - he returned as captain, leading a bold new generation of players into battle. 

In his first outing at the helm, a young and hungry Sri Lankan side stunned Malaysia with pace, precision, and purpose.

Now, Ratwatte is gearing up for something even bigger: a once-in-a-lifetime showdown against New Zealand’s famed Under-85kg All Blacks, in what could be a defining chapter for Sri Lanka rugby.

“I never retired from national duty,” he explained in an interview. “I stepped away from club rugby, but I was always available for Sri Lanka. There may have been a misunderstanding, but when the call came, I was ready and happy to return. Representing Sri Lanka has always been a priority for me,” clarifying he only bid farewell to Kandy SC.

Taking the captaincy during Sri Lanka’s recent clash against Malaysia, Ratwatte led a young and relatively inexperienced squad to an impressive victory. 

Reflecting on that performance, he credited the team’s preparation and execution on match day. 

“The Malaysia game was a proud moment for me, especially stepping in as Sri Lanka Captain for the first time. We had a very young squad, and the boys turned up well-prepared. We executed our game plan well on the day,” said Ratwatte, who played in the pivotal fly half position.

Asked whether he was surprised to be named as captain, Ratwatte, who turned 35 on April 30, spoke like an elder statesman: “It’s a huge responsibility - especially with such a young squad. We don’t have as many experienced players, so those of us who do have that experience need to step up. We’re trying to lead by example and guide the younger players, helping them build long, successful careers.”

The win over Malaysia seems to be the beginning of new era for Sri Lanka rugby. The focus now shifts to a historic two-match series against the New Zealand Under-85kg team - a rare opportunity for a developing rugby nation like Sri Lanka. 

Ratwatte sees this series as a landmark occasion that offers invaluable exposure.

“It’s a historic moment for Sri Lanka rugby. The All Blacks are a dominant force in world rugby, so having them, tour here - even in the U85 category - is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our players. It’s great exposure to play against a top-tier setup,” he said. 

Ratwatte also praised the weight-restricted format, suggesting it provides a more realistic benchmark for Sri Lanka. 

“I think it’s great for rugby—especially for teams like us. It gives us a benchmark to see where we stand and how far we need to go. Matching up with the All Blacks in a category like U85kg helps us understand the level differences more clearly.”

Asked how Sri Lanka could match up against the All Blacks, Ratwatte replied with cautious optimism. “Let’s see. We’re hoping to put on a good show. At the end of the day, they are the All Blacks - but we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.”

“It will be a challenge. But it’s up to us to adapt to game day and see how we can manage the situation. That’s part of the process of building a team.”

Looking beyond the New Zealand tour, Ratwatte is focussed on the upcoming Asia Rugby Championship, where Sri Lanka will face the UAE, South Korea and heavyweights Hong Kong. 

A 40-man training squad has been named to give wider exposure and international experience, with plans to trim it to 30 ahead of the competition.

He identified Hong Kong as the toughest opponent, followed by South Korea but expressed confidence in Sri Lanka’s preparations, especially with the advantage of playing the UAE and Korea on home soil.

“Playing at home always gives us an advantage - our crowd support is amazing. The fans turn up in numbers and it really lifts the team,” he noted. 

Ratwatte’s return and leadership come at a crucial time for Sri Lanka rugby, as the team builds toward bigger goals.