The New Zealand U85kg team triumphed over the Sri Lanka Tuskers 50-10 in Kandy. Led by captain Jarred Percival, the Kiwis secured an early lead and maintained dominance throughout the match, showcasing impressive teamwork and multiple try scorers. This was their first overseas tour match, leaving fans eager for their next game against the Tuskers in Colombo.
The New Zealand U85kg rugby team celebrated a resounding victory against the Sri Lanka Tuskers in Kandy. Played at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium, this marked the team’s first overseas match. With passionate fans in attendance, the atmosphere was electric, bolstered by the recent impressive performance of the Tuskers against Malaysia, where they secured a 59-19 win in the Asia Rugby Championship Playoff.
Captain Jarred Percival, of the High School Old Boys Light Bears in Canterbury, led his squad into the match with enthusiasm. The Kiwis set the pace early on, with Pasia Asiata, a loose forward from the Poneke Wanderers in Wellington, scoring within the first ten minutes. Percival’s successful kick from the corner made it 7-0.
Following this, New Zealand opted for a strategic counterattack, reclaiming possession after a booming kick from Percival. The play saw Auckland’s Ben Megson from Grammar TEC Old Boys create space, sending a long pass to teammate Campbell Busby. The latter quickly offloaded to Jamie Petford, who scored in the corner without any opposition.
Shortly after, the Tuskers responded with a well-executed lineout maul that brought the score to 12-7, igniting hopes among their local supporters. However, New Zealand’s fullback Francis Morrison displayed exceptional agility, breaking through the Tuskers’ defense to set up vice-captain Josh Gellert and then transitioned into a try from Megson, widening the lead to 19-7 as Percival again converted.
The last try of the first half was credited to Jack Laity, a prominent lock from Auckland University. Laity powered through from just under five meters, and New Zealand ended the half with a commanding 26-7 lead.
As the second half commenced, New Zealand’s dominance continued with four additional tries. The Tuskers managed to score only a penalty during this period. Percival once again made his mark, exploiting a gap in the defense to score under the posts.
Morrison finally got his name on the scoresheet, having facilitated earlier tries. He received a cutout ball from replacement Eamon Reilly, scoring in the corner to add further insult to injury for the Tuskers. Not to be outdone, Asiata found himself scoring again after linking up with Reilly to complete his own brace.
As the match drew to a close, Morrison once again showcased his speed, breaking through on a powerful pass from Taine Cordell-Hull. This final effort lifted New Zealand’s score to 50, concluding the match at 50-10.
Up next for the New Zealand U85kg team is their next match against Sri Lanka, set for Saturday, May 10 at 6:30 PM SLT, which translates to Sunday, May 11 at 1:00 AM NZT, taking place at the Race Course Grounds in Colombo. Stay tuned and catch all the action!
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In conclusion, the New Zealand U85kg rugby team showcased their dominance with a convincing 50-10 win against the Sri Lanka Tuskers in Kandy. With multiple try scorers and solid performances across the board, the Kiwis demonstrated their skills and capability on the international stage, setting an exciting tone for their upcoming match. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain this momentum in their next game.
Original Source: www.rugbypass.com
