Sri Lanka rugby team will be in their best physical condition when they meet Malaysia in a crucial Asian Rugby Championship playoff match at the Race Course rugby ground on April 19 with the kick off at 4 p.m.
This team was chosen from a pool of 70 players who went into training soon after the Clifford Cup and League tournaments were over. They were trained by Sanath Martis who is the best national coach in the country currently.
Though some of the national players who were involved in the country’s league and knock-out matches maybe suffering from slight injuries have enough time to recover. This will see the Sri Lanka national team at full strength when a final 25 best players are picked to take the field against Malaysia.
This decisive fixture holds significant importance for Sri Lanka Rugby. A victory will elevate Sri Lanka to the top Tier in the Asia Rugby Men’s Rankings, securing the number four spot among Asian Rugby playing nations, a milestone achievement not reached in over a decade.
Sri Lanka has not lost to Malaysia for a number of years, except when Malaysia fielded about four Fijian players in their side. It is not certain that Malaysia will field Fijian players in this game. The winner of this play-off will advance to the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship and will be joined by top tier teams such as Hong Kong, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. The winner in that Championship will secure a direct qualification to the Rugby World Cup to be held in Australia in 2027 while the runner-up team will have another opportunity to qualify by facing the second placed team from the African Rugby Championship.
This match against Malaysia represents more than just a game. It is a gateway to the highest level of competition in Asian Rugby. The nation’s rugby community, supporters and aspiring young players are urged to rally behind the national team for what promises to be a thrilling and historic encounter.
Asia Rugby, the continental governing body comprising 36- member nations, has organized this decisive fixture, marking a pivotal moment for Sri Lanka Rugby.
