Intrust Super Cup referee Peter Gough will officiate the match between Vanuatu and Niue this weekend.
DESPITE it being the off-season; two Queensland referees have been given the chance to officiate some international rugby league this month.
Intrust Super Cup referee Chris Anderson took charge of the Vanuatu v Solomon Islands match played in Mackay last weekend (see below for match details); while fellow competition official Peter Gough is off to Port Vila this weekend to referee the Pacific showdown against Niue.
It will be the first ever Vanuatu versus Niue Rugby League match and will take place at the Municipal Stadium in Port Vila with an anticipated capacity crowd of 5000 expected to attend.
Vanuatu coach David Simpson said he was looking forward to his team building on their success against the Solomon Islands in a match which featured Intrust Super Cup players Jardine Bobongie, Javarn White and Dallas Anderson.
I cant wait to head over to Vanuatu this week and look to get a victory in front of our home crowd in Port Vila against another Pacific brother Niue on Saturday (October 12), Simpson said.
The Vanuatu team flew out of Australia on Tuesday with the Port Vila based players heading directly to Port Vila.
The rest of the squad led by local Jean-Pierez Kenie head to Santo to conduct a range of promotional activities before camp kicks off in Port Vila today (Wednesday).
Tickets to the game will be on sale throughout the week and people can follow the game via Vanuatu Rugby Leagues Facebook page and website.
Vanuatu v Niue match:
Municipal Stadium, Port Vila at 3.30pm
Vanuatu v Solomon Islands match wrap (from Vanuatu Rugby League):
On Saturday, Vanuatu claimed a historic 48-30 victory against Pacific neighbour Solomon Islands in their first ever Test match which was held in Mackay on Saturday, October 5.
The game, played in front of a vocal crowd of 1648 people, commemorated the 150th anniversary of South Sea Islanders or Black Birds who were brought to Australia to work in the cane fields.
Born and bred in Vanuatu, captain Samuela Loaloadravu, said the feeling of victory was awesome.
Words cant describe how much this win means to me, he said. Its been a two year journey to get this first win and to captain this group of men is just an honour.
It was an amazing display as we had 11 debutants, with eight players came from the local competitions in Port Vila and Santo.
And it was a real honour for us all to have NiVanuatu NRL star outside back Justin ONeill presenting the Vanuatu side with their jerseys and also acting as a trainer for the side.
New coach David Simpson was equally impressed with his teams achievements.
I couldnt be prouder of the team. They worked really hard for this, in the lead up and in the game.
Solomon Islands are a very good team with some fantastic players. At times it looked as though they might run away with the game but Vanuatu stuck to the plan and got themselves back in it.
For more information, visit:
Vanuatu Rugby League website: http://www.vanuaturugbyleague.com/
Vanuatu Rugby League Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vanuatu-Rugby-League/220264048027121
