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Tri contest warm up. AUS v PNG v FIJ

JamesBrandy

Juniors
Messages
516
Has anybody heard any more about this game they mentioned earlier in the year?

According to the report on NRL.com it's supposed to be on October 14, but I've heard nothing more mentioned about it.

http://www.nrl.com/kangaroos-to-face-fiji-and-png-in-suva/tabid/10874/newsid/107223/default.aspx

The Australian Kangaroos will face Fiji and Papua New Guinea in an historic tri-contest in Suva ahead of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

The innovative format of the match will see all three teams face each other on October 14, at Suva’s ANZ Stadium.

Fiji will face PNG before Australia takes on both PNG and finally Fiji. All three match-ups will last 40 minutes.

It will be the Kangaroos' first match in Fiji.

"This is a wonderful initiative and will be an historic day for Fiji, who will be hosting not one but two nations," NRL head of football Brian Canavan said.

"Fiji will get to see some of the best players in the world.


"Clearly the other important aspect will be that each contest will provide a strong preparation for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup."

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said the contest would be a novel way to prepare for his team, as well as an important one.

"Not only will this contest be good for the Kangaroos' preparation for the World Cup, it will be wonderful for international rugby league," Meninga said.

"I love the concept of three teams playing on the same stage. It will be a great exhibition for our game."

Fiji Bati coach Mick Potter said: "It will be a great showpiece. It can only be a good thing for the game in Fiji for the locals to see the Australian team playing against two different nations, including their own.

"The people of Fiji will appreciate having all the names associated with this Kangaroos team at their stadium, as well as the best players in Fiji and PNG. To have that calibre of player on show will be phenomenal for the game."

PNG coach Michael Marum said: "It’s the first time this has ever happened so it will be a good experience for all of us.

"We’ll take a lot out of playing 40 minutes of football against each of those teams, and we’re looking forward to doing some community work alongside Fiji as they work to make rugby league even stronger over there."
 

Vee

First Grade
Messages
5,788
Saw it mentioned on FS news this week during an interview but wasn’t paying enough attention to get the details.
 

titoelcolombiano

First Grade
Messages
7,697
I actually like this format for a tri-series to be honest. It obviously not a full international but it is a good concept as a posible alternative shorter version of the game.
 

Billythekid

First Grade
Messages
6,980
Today they said 70% of the tickets have been sold for this. It's a 15,000 capacity venue so if that's true it'll be a huge crowd for a game in Fiji. I'd say well and truly the biggest ever for RL there.

Hopefully it helps the push for a Fiji NSW Cup team. Really feels like things are happening for international league, we just gotta keep pushing.
 

Billythekid

First Grade
Messages
6,980
Noticed a lot of wives/partners and kids with the players. Didn't think this usually happened.

They as a story about that on the news. Apparently Mal wanted to reward the families and let them travel with the players. I think it's a good idea.
 

stormbati

Bench
Messages
3,089
They as a story about that on the news. Apparently Mal wanted to reward the families and let them travel with the players. I think it's a good idea.
I guess it being a tourist destination and being close to Australia it made sense.
Great for Fiji to have leagues biggest stars in the country.
 

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