The Brisbane Broncos NRLW team has locked in a trial game against the Papua New Guinea Oil Search Orchids in Port Moresby on Saturday, August 31.
In what will be a bumper double-header of rugby league, the NRLW trial will be supported by a game between a Brisbane Broncos Legends team and the Papua New Guinea Kumuls Legends at Oil Search National Football Stadium.
The NRLW clash will be the Broncos’ first hitout of 2019 as they prepared for their NRLW premiership defence which begins in mid-September. A similar trial game was played between the Broncos and the
PNG Oil Search Orchids last year in Brisbane, which proved a highly successful event for both teams.
The Legends game will also prove a hit with PNG locals with confirmed starters including Petero Civoniceva, Terry Matterson, Julian O’Neill, Scott Prince, Kevin Campion and David Stagg.
Australia’s Office of the Pacific is partnering with the Brisbane Broncos to put on both games, funded through the Australia-Pacific Sports Linkages Program.
The partnership will also support a number of off-field activities in Port Moresby across the weekend, including skills clinics and community outreach, and a welcome reception for the four teams hosted by the Australian High Commission.
Brisbane Broncos NRLW CEO Tain Drinkwater said the double-header would further strengthen the links between the Broncos and Papua New Guinea.
“We have developed a fantastic relationship with Papua New Guinea in recent years and these games are the latest part of a partnership that we value really highly,” said Drinkwater.
“Last year’s trial against the Oil Search Orchids set us up for a history-making NRLW season, and we are confident that it will be the same case in 2019.
“The team is really excited about making the trip north for not only the game but the events that will happen across the community over the weekend.
“The Legends game promises to make for a massive double-header of rugby league that all the PNG locals will really enjoy, and we hope all of our fans will head to the stadium and show their support
“We are delighted the Australian Government is backing these games as part of its broader Pacific Step-Up program.”
