More Than a Game: The Heart of Rugby in Sri Lanka
All BlacksAugust 8, 2025
Earlier this year the New Zealand Under 85kg rugby team completed one of the most unique and uplifting rugby tours in recent memory — and now fans can go behind the scenes in a new documentary shot and edited by Johnny Hendrikus.
Available now on YouTube and NZR+, the film captures the spirit, humour and heart of a historic two-match tour to rugby-mad Sri Lanka. From police escorts and sold-out stadiums to media scrums and selfie mobs, the New Zealand Under 85s were given the full superstar treatment in a country where the passion for rugby runs deep.
The documentary doesn’t just showcase the games — it dives into the culture, the chaos, and the camaraderie that made this such an unforgettable trip for players and fans alike.
One viewer summed it up in the YouTube comments:
“The love and support for rugby in Sri Lanka is unreal. This was more than a tour — it was an experience of a lifetime. Well done to everyone involved.”
Another fan wrote:
“This is what rugby is all about — connection, passion, and opportunity. Huge respect to Sri Lanka for the hospitality, and to NZ for embracing it.”
Don’t miss this feel-good story of rugby making a global impact.
