New Zealand U85kg team dominated Sri Lanka Tuskers, winning 50-10 in Kandy. Led by Jarred Percival, multiple tries by Asiata, Morrison, and others secured the victory after a strong first half. The next match is scheduled for May 10 in Colombo.
The New Zealand U85kg team showcased a dominant performance against the Sri Lanka Tuskers at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy during their first overseas tour on Sunday evening. The Tuskers had recently secured a victory in the Asia Rugby Championship Playoff against Malaysia, creating an eager atmosphere among the fans. However, the Kiwis came ready to play and quickly established their prowess on the field.
From the outset, the New Zealand squad, led by captain Jarred Percival from the High School Old Boys Light Bears club in Canterbury, set the tone for the match. They struck first within the first ten minutes thanks to loose forward Pasia Asiata, who crossed the try line, followed by Percival’s successful conversion to put them ahead 7-0. The early momentum seemed to solidify their confidence.
The Kiwis continued their onslaught, executing a sharp counterattack that showcased their agility. After winning back possession from a lengthy kick, New Zealand midfielder Ben Megson found space before sending a precise pass to Campbell Busby. Busby offloaded to Jamie Petford, who scored untouched in the corner, pushing the score to 12-0.
The Tuskers quickly responded, utilizing a well-executed lineout maul to score, bringing the match to 12-7. However, New Zealand was relentless. Fullback Francis Morrison, who is among the five players representing the Pakuranga Black Panthers, displayed impressive footwork to break through and assist vice-captain Josh Gellert, who in turn set up Megson to increase their lead, converting the score to 19-7.
As the first half wound down, lock Jack Laity solidified New Zealand’s advantage with a powerful try just under five meters from the line, finalizing the scoreline at 26-7 by half-time. The second half saw the Kiwis maintain dominance, scoring four more tries, while the Tuskers only managed a penalty.
Percival continued to drive his team forward, finding a gap in the Sri Lankan defense, leading to a try under the posts. Morrison finally earned his spot on the score sheet after supporting Reilly, who assisted him for a try in the corner. Asiata added his second try off a break from Reilly, showcasing New Zealand’s attacking depth.
In the closing moments, Morrison pierced the Sri Lankan defense again, thanks to an excellent pass from Taine Cordell-Hull, wrapping up the match with an impressive 50 points for New Zealand. The Tuskers, despite their spirited effort, finished the game at 10 points.
The teams are set to clash again in the second match on Saturday, May 10, at Race Course Grounds in Colombo, starting at 6:30 pm SLT (1 am NZT, May 11). Fans can stay updated with the latest news, statistics, and live coverage through the RugbyPass app, available on both iOS and Android.
In summary, the New Zealand U85kg team delivered a commanding performance against the Sri Lanka Tuskers, concluding the match with a score of 50-10. Key players, including Jarred Percival and Francis Morrison, demonstrated their skills effectively, contributing to multiple tries. The second game on May 10 will present another opportunity for the Kiwis to showcase their strength against the Tuskers in Colombo.
Original Source: www.rugbypass.com
