Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Rugby U85 2026 Match 2 Preview

The New Zealand Rugby U85 team will be looking to complete the second double over the Sri Lanka Tuskers in Kandy at Nittawela Rugby Stadium on 3 May 2026, and a win on Sunday will see them retain the Sir Graham Henry Trophy.

Feature Photo Credit – All Blacks Rugby

In the opening match of the 2026 Series played on April 26th, the visiting NZ side defeated Sri Lanka in Colombo 27-16 after leading narrowly 16-13 at halftime.

The Sri Lankans had the size advantage, and Akash Madushanka scored the first try, before NZ prop Simon Sia scored the first try for the men in black. The match, played on ANZAC Day, saw the visitors score additional points via a try for Pasia Asiata driven from a lineout drive, and Sri Lankan Janidu Dilshan scored for the hosts before the break.

Suji Vosikata helped the NZ U85kg team assert some dominance in the second half, and captain Jarred Percival added two penalties from the boot. Matt Treeby’s third try for NZ sealed the win in extreme heat and humidity, while Thenuka Nanayakkara slotted one penalty for Sri Lanka.

Photo Credit – Sri Lanka Rugby

NZ Coach Ben Sinnamon said after the opening win, “The Tuskers really showed how much they wanted it tonight, their physicality and pressure were outstanding. However, we backed our systems in some really trying conditions.”

Flank Josh Purdon said before the second game via allblacks.com “We looked at a bit of film, so we know where we need to improve. Hopefully it’s a bit more settled, there was a bit on last week with sponsor and commercial commitments, so we’re looking forward to getting to Kandy.”

The aggregate score across both matches will determine the series winner, so Sri Lanka will need to win by more than 11 points.

Last year, the NZ side won 50-10 and 32-6, so the margin of the 2026 opening win was much lower.

Points Scorers Match 1

• New Zealand Under 85kg: 27 (Simon Sia, Pasia Asiata, Matt Treeby tries; Taine Cordell-Hull 3 pen, con; Jarred Percival pen, con)
• Sri Lanka: 16 (Akash Madusanka, Janidu Dilshan tries; Thenuka Nanayakkara 2 pen)

You can watch the highlights of Game#1 below:

NZ U85 Squad vs Sri Lanka – Match #2 2026

The NZ Head Coach has made several changes and said, “We’re expecting more of the same from Sri Lanka. The message we’ve had all week is to be present and stay focused, because we’re confident in our gameplan and the talent we’ve got in the team that’s been put together.”

1. Tom Rowland, 2. Matt Treeby, 3. Oliver Dunn-Parrant, 4. Jack Laity, 5. Billy Sloan, 6. Josh Evans, 7. Josh Gellert, 8. Sunia Vosikata, 9. Jackson Ephraims, 10. Jarred Percival, 11. Ben Kelt, 12. Maifea Taiulu Feso, 13. Campbell Busby, 14. Pieter Swarts, 15. Francis Morrison

Bench: 16. Callum Nimmo, 17. Frazer Harrison, 18. Jeandre du Toit, 19. Bailey Clark, 20. Josh Purdon, 21. Ned Milne, 22. Adam Preston, 23. Chad Crenfeldt-Smith

Sri Lanka Squad vs NZ U85 Squad – Match #2 2026

How to Watch the NZ U85kg Match #2 vs Sri Lanka 2026

The match will be available on Sky Sport One or NZR+ and on DialogTV in Sri Lanka.

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