Sri Lanka Tuskers To Host NZ Under 85KG Rugby Team For Two-Match Series In May 2025

New Zealand Rugby will send an NZ Under 85KG Rugby team to tour and play the Men’s XV Sri Lanka Tuskers national side with the matches scheduled to take place in Kandy on the 4 May and the return fixture in Colombo on 10 May 2025.

Local Sri Lankan media reported that former Sri Lanka, Kandy SC and CR & FC player Inthi Marikkar has a driving force working together with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) in getting the two associations to agree to make the tour happen.

There is some history between NZR and Sri Lanka Rugby as Sir Colin Meads played his first match in a black jersey in Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon), for the NZ Colts side in 1955.

Although slightly hyperbolic, Papare.com suggested that “this series of two games will undoubtedly revolutionise the sport of Rugby in Sri Lanka as it opens us a new horizon and many possibilities.” Nowhere in Asia is the U85KG rugby division played, however the tourists will likely offer some stern opposition for the local players selected to play the NZ side.

The Sri Lanka Tuskers selected side will be an open-weight team for the tour except for Sri Lanka-selected prop forwards who will have to be below 105KG as a measure to ensure the player’s safety is kept intact.

NZR’s General Manager of Community Rugby Steve Lancaster said “It’s exciting to confirm this inaugural tour for our Under 85kg national team, and playing against an open-weight national side will be a great challenge for them.  We have also worked closely with the New Zealand High Commission in Sri Lanka in establishing the tour and are extremely grateful for their help in supporting the tour and promoting rugby in the region.”

The Sri Lanks Tuskers won the Asia Rugby Division 1 title in 2024 and are due to play the Malaysian Men’s senior side in April 2025 (TBC) in a relegation and promotion game for the top tier and division 1 in Asia.

Photo Credit: World Rugby – Sri Lanka Tuskers 2024 Men’s Rugby – Asia Rugby Division 1 Champions

NZ Under 85KG Rugby Squad – Sri Lanka May 2025 Tour

In 2024, a NZ Under 85KG Rugby national representative team was announced for the first time,  and they said then that “New Zealand Rugby was in discussions with another National Union about the overseas tour in 2025.”

NZR Head of Rugby Participation, Mike Hester said via the NZ Herald that weight-restricted rugby “started to generate a lot of interest across the world. It’s something that’s quite particular to New Zealand, it’s not seen a lot around the world, so a lot of countries that want to grow the game are quite interested in some of the things that New Zealand does.”

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya said of the significance of the tour “This occasion promises to energise the nation’s rugby enthusiasts as they witness a powerhouse of the sport take on our national team in two thrilling matches. We look forward to celebrating this historic occasion together, uniting through our shared passion for the game.”

• Match 1 – Kandy, Sri Lanka, 4 May 2025
• Match 2 – Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10 May 2025

The NZR Squad selection can be seen here.

Forwards

• Pasia Asiata (Poneke Wanderers, Wellington)
• Ben Biggelaar (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland)
• Rory Cavanagh (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland)
• Lewis Craik (Morrinsville Majestic Pukekos, Waikato)
• Jeandre Du Toit (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland)
• Luke Eyre (Massey Rock n Rumble, North Harbour)
• Josh Gellert (Auckland University Slug Collectors, Auckland)
• Frazer Harrison (Auckland University Squids, Auckland)
• Tyler Koning (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
• Jack Laity (Auckland University Slug Collectors, Auckland)
• Callum Nimmo (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
• Ridgley Paxton (Karaka Razzlers, Counties Manukau)
• Josh Purdon (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
• Tom Rowland (Eden Lizards, Auckland)
• Simon Sia (Morrinsville Majestic Pukekos, Waikato)
• Matt Treeby (Tawa Ducks, Wellington)

Backs

• Campbell Busby (Auckland University Squids, Auckland)
• Taine Cordell Hull (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
• Jackson Ephraims (Takapuna Bombers, North Harbour)
• Ben Megson (Grammar TEC Old Boys, Auckland)
• Ned Milne (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
• Francis Morrison (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland)
• Jarred Percival (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
• Jamie Petford (Pakuranga Black Panthers, Auckland)
• Adam Preston (Tawa Ducks, Wellington)
• Eamon Reilly (Ponsonby Hustlers, Auckland)
• Ben Scott (High School Old Boys Light Bears, Canterbury)
• Pieter Swarts (East Coast Bays Badgers, North Harbour)

Coach: Ngatai Walker
Manager: Grant Wilson

U85KG Rugby Gaining Traction in New Zealand

In New Zealand, the Under 85kg Club Cup knockout competition for men’s weight-restricted rugby, has been popular and ran for its 5th season in 2024. NZR said weight-restricted rugby “provides an opportunity for a segment of the playing population to have their own playing experience within a balanced and meaningful competition.”

The first weight-restricted representative side was assembled by the Barbarians in 2012 and in September 2024, World Cup winning All Black coach Sir Graham Henry voiced his support of the U85KG development.

Asian Rugby Tours and Tournaments 2025

• Malaysia and Sri Lanka Men’s XV Set To Play In 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Mens Championship Playoff Match.
• The Best 2025 Touch Tournaments In Asia.
• The Best Social 2025 Rugby Tournaments In Asia.
• Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival – Singapore 2025.