Sri Lanka, May 4 -- Sri Lanka's rugby side suffered a heavy 50-10 defeat to dominant New Zealand U85kg outfit in the opening match of their series, played at the historic Nittawela Rugby Stadium.

From the first whistle, New Zealand controlled territory and possession, showcasing their pace, structure, and physicality.

They ran in multiple tries in the first half, setting the tone for a commanding performance.

Sri Lanka, despite the score line, showed flashes of promise, with a well-worked try in the second half.

However, the Kiwis remained relentless, finishing the game strongly with clinical execution on both sides of the ball.

The standout for New Zealand was Josh Purdon, who was named the Player of the Match.

The Sri Lankan side ...