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Sri Lanka’s national rugby team, the Tuskers, are set for one of the most defining moments in their history as they face South Korea in the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship, starting on June 13 at the Racecourse Stadium in Colombo, with kickoff at 4 p.m.
This tournament is the gateway to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and for Sri Lanka, the challenges could not be higher. The team’s battle for a spot at rugby’s most prestigious event will be fought across Colombo, Dubai, Incheon, and Hong Kong, with the winner securing automatic qualification for the World Cup. For Sri Lanka, this marks a historic opportunity to finally break into the sport’s elite level.
Sri Lanka, ranked 39th internationally, will be going head-to-head with three other teams: Hong Kong China (23rd), South Korea (35th), and the United Arab Emirates (50th). All four teams are just three matches away from achieving their dreams of representing Asia on the world stage in
2027. The pressure is immense, especially after Sri Lanka’s dramatic return to top-tier rugby, following a resounding 59-19 victory over Malaysia in the playoff at Colombo’s Racecourse Stadium in April this year.
However, Sri Lanka’s journey to this point has not been without turmoil. The team has faced significant internal challenges, from the resignation of head coach Sanath Martis amid public criticism to player unrest over unpaid wages. This upheaval led to the formation of the Sri Lanka Rugby Players Association (SLRPA), and former officials facing legal consequences. Yet,
amidst the turmoil, hope emerges with the appointment of Rodney Gibbs, a former All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns XV Assistant Coach, as the new head coach. Gibbs, now leading Sri Lanka’s charge, will oversee the selection of a 40-man squad as they prepare for the championship.
Sri Lanka has also looked beyond its borders for reinforcements, with Australian-born, Sri Lankan-eligible Adam Gauder reportedly in the mix for a place in the squad. Alongside Gibbs, Sri Lankan rugby legends Dushanth Lewke and Lasintha De Costa, both former national players and now respected coaches, will lead the forwards and backs respectively, bringing invaluable experience to the coaching team.
