Kiwi defence too strong: Tuskers fall short in Kandy

• New Zealand U85kg retain Sir Graham Henry Trophy with 25-10 win despite spirited Lankan fightback  

The visiting New Zealand Under-85kg rugby team put on a die-hard defensive effort to beat the Sri Lanka Tuskers 25-10 on Sunday, 3 August, at Nittawela, Kandy. 

The win secured the Sir Graham Henry Trophy for the Kiwis for the second year in a row, in front of a packed crowd at Sri Lanka’s hill country rugby fortress.

While the Tuskers lost, it was a much-improved showing from last year. In 2025 they were thrashed 50-10 at the same venue and 32-6 in Colombo for an 82-16 aggregate defeat. Last week, the two sides met in the 1st leg at Colombo Racecourse, where New Zealand won a tight 26-17 contest.

Sri Lanka started brightly. Just under five minutes in, a powerful driving maul earned them a penalty try and a 7-0 lead. 

But the Kiwis hit back quickly with a converted try to level it 7-7. A penalty in the 21st minute put them ahead 10-7. The Tuskers then missed a golden chance to score, the first of several wasted opportunities. 

Right on halftime, the New Zealand fly-half slotted another penalty to stretch the lead to 13-7.

Half-time: New Zealand 13 – 7 Sri Lanka

The visitors came out firing after the break. A well-worked team try in the opening minutes made it 18-7. Thenuka Nanayakkara pulled three points back for Lanka with a penalty in the 50th minute to make it 18-10.

But fullback Francis Morrison sealed it for the Kiwis. He scored a converted try with a moment of individual brilliance, pushing the lead to 25-10.

Sri Lanka dominated possession in the second half but couldn’t break New Zealand’s rock-solid defence. The Kiwis’ scramble defence was heroic, though it came at a cost. The referee handed out multiple yellow cards for repeated fouls and indiscipline as they held the line.

The Lankan forwards threw everything at New Zealand with pure grit, but it just wasn’t their day.

Full time: New Zealand U85kg 25 (3T, 2C, 2P) beat Sri Lanka 10 (1T, 1C, 1P)

Player of the Match: Francis Morrison  

Player of the Series: Sunia Vosikata  

Aggregate: New Zealand U85kg 51-27 Sri Lanka

Source - The Morning