RACECOURE, Colombo, May 10, 2025 (ePRESS) – The gallant Sri Lanka Tuskers gave it their all but fell short once again, suffering a 32-6 defeat at the hands of a sharp and clinical New Zealand Under-85kg outfit in their second and final historic rugby encounter at the Racecourse Stadium in Colombo.
Before a packed house of passionate home fans, the Tuskers fought tooth and nail but could not prevent the visitors from completing a 2-0 clean sweep. Despite the scoreline, it was a gutsy effort by the hosts, who showed far more grit and discipline than in their 50-10 defeat in the opening game.
From the first whistle, the Kiwis came out firing on all cylinders. Their skipper and flyhalf Jarred Percival drew first blood in the 14th minute, sprinting down the left wing to score an unconverted try near the posts. Seven minutes later, Percival was at it again, slicing through the defence for his second try to make it 10-0.
But the Tuskers were not about to roll over. In the 24th minute, returning playmaker Tarinda Ratwatte coolly slotted a penalty from 25 metres out, putting Sri Lanka on the board and narrowing the gap to 3-10. The home crowd came alive, sensing a possible shift in momentum.
However, the visitors struck back in the 32nd minute through winger Pieter Swarts, who dived over in the left corner. This time, Percival added the extras, stretching the lead to 17-3 as both sides headed to ‘lemons’.
The Tuskers came out with renewed energy after the break, standing tall in defence and making a few barnstorming runs. Ratwatte kept their hopes flickering by converting another penalty in the 54th minute to close the deficit to 6-17.
But the New Zealanders kept their foot on the gas. Eamon Reily knocked over a penalty in the 59th minute, before flanker Josh Gellert crashed over for a converted try just two minutes later to take the score to 27-6. The final nail in the coffin came in the 72nd minute, when fullback Francis Morrions dotted down for an unconverted try.
Though tryless, the Tuskers can hold their heads high. They defended like warriors, chased every loose ball, and made the Kiwis sweat for their win. On a night when the scoreboard didn’t tell the full story, Sri Lanka proved they had plenty of heart.
Referee: Jaco De Wit
