Sri Lanka’s rugby team is set for a defining moment as they face Malaysia in a one-off playoff match on April 19, 2025, at Johor Rugby Stadium, Malaysia. The match will determine which team secures promotion to the prestigious top-tier Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship (AREMC) and keeps their hopes alive for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Asia rugby announced.
Sri Lanka earned this opportunity after a stellar performance in the 2024 Asia Rugby competition, winning Division 1 in a combined tournament with Qatar, India, and Kazakhstan. Ranked 39th in the world, Sri Lanka enters the playoff as favourites, thanks to their recent success and growing momentum.
Malaysia, ranked 52nd, struggled in the 2024 AREMC, finishing last without a single win, which led to this high-stakes playoff. For Sri Lanka, a victory would be a landmark achievement, taking them to the Premier Division and positioning them on the global rugby stage.
Officials have expressed gratitude to Asia Rugby, its President and the Tournament Committee for creating this vital opportunity. “We are deeply thankful to Asia Rugby for this chance. It means so much to our great players and supporters,” a Sri Lanka rugby official said.
Bringing additional excitement to their schedule, and following the completion of the rugby season with the League and Knockout Tournament on April 6, Sri Lanka is set to host New Zealand’s Under-85kg national team for historic matches on May 4 in Kandy and May 10 in Colombo. With the support of the Ministry of Sports’ competent authority, Prof. (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando, and strong backing from the rugby community, Sri Lanka Rugby is poised to make 2025 a landmark year.
Despite all the challenges, a victory will propel Sri Lanka into Asia’s elite rugby group and bring them closer to their 2027 Rugby World Cup dream, a landmark goal for the nation’s rugby ambitions.
(Sajeewa Jayakody – Daily News)
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