Kieran Read arrives in Sri Lanka for New Zealand Under 85kg rugby tour

Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read has arrived in Sri Lanka as part of the New Zealand Under 85kg Rugby Team Tour 2026.

Widely regarded as one of the most capped players in All Blacks history, Read travelled from Melbourne to Colombo aboard SriLankan Airlines, which also extended its best wishes for his stay in the country both on and off the field.

The New Zealand Under 85kg side is currently on a short tour of Sri Lanka, featuring a two-match series against the Sri Lanka Tuskers.

In the opening encounter, the visitors secured a 27-16 victory over Sri Lanka at the Racecourse International Stadium on Saturday, taking an early lead in the series.

The second and final match is set to be played at the Nittawela Stadium on May 3, where the hosts will look to bounce back and level the series.