The New Zealand Under 85kg Rugby Team is set to make its mark on Sri Lankan soil, arriving on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, for an exciting two-match series against the Sri Lanka Tuskers.
The tour kicks off in Kandy, where the New Zealanders will face the Tuskers in the first match scheduled for Sunday, May 4, at the historic Nittawela Rugby Stadium. The team will then return to Colombo for a few practice sessions at Longdon Place — the home of Sri Lankan rugby — before taking on the Tuskers again for the second match on Saturday, May 10, at the Race Course Grounds. Both matches are set for a 4.00 PM kickoff.
Dialog Axiata PLC has been announced as the Title Sponsor for the entire tour, reinforcing their long-standing support of Sri Lankan rugby.
The New Zealand squad features some of the country’s best Under 85kg rugby talent, drawn from 13 leading clubs across the country. Twelve players featured in last season’s thrilling National Club Cup Final, representing Christchurch’s High School Old Boys (seven players) and Auckland’s Pakuranga (five players).
Despite being the first official New Zealand Under 85kg national side, the team boasts a wealth of experience. Jarred Percival brings Heartland XV credentials, while former Dutch international Tyler Koning and ex-England U18 prop Tom Rowland add international flavour.
New Zealand Rugby’s Head of Rugby Participation, Mike Hester, described the tour as a significant moment for weight-restricted rugby.
“If the thrilling Final in Wellington was anything to go by, we can expect this squad will showcase everything we love about this grade; speed, skill, and camaraderie. Having an international stage to do that on is a fantastic opportunity for these players and the promotion of this exciting version of the game,” Hester said.
The team will be led by coach Ngatai Walker, who currently serves as a skills coach with Manawatu and has worked with Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki Development, and New Zealand Secondary Schools teams.
New Zealand Under 85kg Squad
(Club team/Provincial Union)
- 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
Wider Squad/Injury Cover:
Jono Kilsby, Ethan James, Will Boswell, Kees Jansen
The tour promises to be an exciting showcase of the speed, skill, and spirit of Under 85kg rugby. (Newswire)