Vanuatu vs Philippines Test Match (Thread)

[Benny]

To keep up to date follow the Vanuatu Rugby League on Facebook or check out the recently launched website at: www.vanuaturl.com

Tickets can be purchased at The Espiritu hotel reception (Ex-Apex) or at the gates on game day.

Match Details

Date: Saturday 11th October 2014

Venue: Chapius Stadium in Luganville, Espiritu-Santo (Vanuatu)

Gates Open: Midday

Santo vs Port Vila: 1pm

Vanuatu vs Philippines: 3pm

Half-time entertainment will be provided and there will be food and beverage (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) for purchase on game day.

Admission Prices

Grandstand Ticket: 1,500 Vatu

General Admission: 500 Vatu

Kids U/10: 100 Vatu

Tickets can be purchased at The Espiritu hotel reception (Ex-Apex) or at the gates on game day.

Pre-Game Function

Date: Tuesday 7th October

Venue: Lope Lope Resort

Time: 6pm

Cost: 3,000 Vatu per person

Includes full buffet dinner, live entertainment, jersey auction and chance to meet all the international players.

 

[Benny]

http://vanuaturl.com/site/vrl-take-asian-champions/

VRL take on Asian Champions

History will continue to be made when Vanuatu Rugby League take on Asian Champions, the Philippines Tamaraws on Saturday October 11 2014 at Chapius Stadium.

Test Match Rugby League will make its debut in Luganville, the provincial centre of Vanuatu’s largest island Espirtu-Santo and the Sanma Province in another first for Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL).

Fresh off their Test victories over Solomon Islands and Niue in 2013, the Vanuatu side will be looking to add the scalp of the Tamaraws in 2014. The Tamaraws will face Niue in Sydney the weekend before coming to Vanuatu.

VRL President Tom Carlo was excited to take the game to a new market.

“Santo has been great supporters and drivers of the games in Vanuatu. It is exciting for Santo; and we hope to attract a large crowd to showcase this marquee event for Vanuatu”.

“We’re confident the people of Santo will get behind it and put a strong case forward to play games in Santo into the future”, Mr Carlo said.

The game will also feature the annual inter-provincial match between the Port Vila representative team and the Santo Boars representative team in what is sure to be an entertaining fixture. Island pride will on the line more so than ever with the game being a trial for the Vanuatu team to compete at the 2015 Pacific Games. Santo on home soil will be looking to reverse the result of the two previous fixtures.

VRL High Performance Director Brett Wright further elaborated on the opportunities available to the players in both matches.

“The VRL runs high performance programs in both Port Vila and Santo. This will act as a trial for those programs and enable players to become eligible for future opportunities through the VRL, so there is a lot to play for in both games beyond national and provincial pride”.

“This year we had a number of players on placements in Australia and there is further placements planned into the future. We have a tour planned to Australia in February, further Test Matches in October next year and the pinnacle of representing Vanuatu at the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea”, Mr Wright stated.

 

[Benny]

http://vanuaturl.com/site/vanuatu-captain-returns-overseas-squad-selected/

Vanuatu Captain Returns as Overseas Squad selected

Vanuatu’s inaugural Rugby League Test Captain James Wood will return to lead Vanuatu into battle at Chapius Stadium on Saturday 11th October, 2014 when the VRL take on the might of the Asian Champions in the Philippines Rugby League team, known as the Tamaraws.

Mr Woods hails from Malo an island a short 30 minute boat ride away from where the game will be played in Luganville on the island of Espirtu Santo (Vanuatu). Mr Woods said despite missing the Test Match victories in 2013 over the Solomon Islands and Niue due to injury; captaining the Vanuatu team in the inaugural Test match in Port Vila (Vanuatu) in 2012.

“Having the honour of captaining my country was a proud moment and the highlight of my Rugby League career. I’m looking forward playing in Santo will all my family and friends from Malo with the rest of Santo cheering me on”, Mr Wood’s said.

Woods who also captains the Tweed Head Seagulls in the Queensland Cup where he recently played a club record 200 games. Woods also holds the record for most tries with 94 and is the clubs 3rd leading point scorer. The Seagulls club is proudly sponsoring Woods to play in the game in gratitude to the service he has given the club over 12 seasons.

Woods was instrumental in providing an opportunity for Test Centre Nelson Law and former utility Kunro Kalo to spend a year with the Tweed Heads Seagulls where they played in the clubs A Grade team throughout 2013.

Seven other players that are Australian based will join Captain Woods in the squad, including Samuela Loaloadravu who stepped in to captain the side in Woods absence in 2013. The VRL’s halfback and all-time leading point scorer Joshua Tanner is also part of the squad that includes front rower Sam Pierce that plays for the Central Queensland Capras in the Queensland Cup and trained with the Brisbane Broncos NRL team over the last pre-season.

It will also be a home coming for players raised in Santo including Erick Tosusu and cousins Herbie Henderson and Anthony Delaivuna. Their cousin rising star Ben Henderson, whose team Endeavour Sports High School recently won the Australian School Championship and is part of the Cronulla Sharks NRL U/20’s team will be a non-playing member of the squad to gain experience in the national set-up.

Interim coach and former player John Nash was very pleased with the high quality of players that will form the squad.

“All the players selected bring a wealth of experience playing in Australia and all have formerly represented Vanuatu. They are the perfect group to mentor our highly talented but largely inexperienced group of predominantly Vanuatu based players with those players to be announced in the coming days”, Mr Nash said.

The Test match will also feature the annual inter-provincial match between the Port Vila representative side and the Santo Boars.

 

[Benny]

http://vanuaturl.com/site/local-hero-jean-pierrez-kenie-leads-vanuatu-rugby-league-selection/

Local Hero Jean Pierrez Kenie Leads Vanuatu Rugby League Selection

Local Santo hero Jean Pierrez Kenie will headline a list of 13 locally based players to form the 21 man squad to take on the Philippines Rugby League team, the Tamaraws at Chapius Stadium on Saturday 11th October, 2014 in Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu).

Kenie who hails from Port Olry Village has been selected in the squad following strong performances in Vanuatu’s Test victories over Solomon Islands and Niue in 2013 and strong form for the Fassifern Bombers in 2014.

The versatile Kenie can play in the front row, second row or lock and is also a noted goal kicker being famous for kicking goals from the sideline with both his right and left foot.

Kenie rose to prominence having been spotted by national selectors playing for the Santo Boars against the Port Vila representative team back in 2012 in the first installment of the annual inter-provincial fixture as the curtain-raiser to the inaugural Test match against Greece.

The match will again feature in 2014 with Santo looking to reverse the results of 2012 and 2013, have the home ground advantage for the first time.

Kenie was very excited about the opportunity to play in front of his home crowd in October.

“The VRL has provided me several fantastic opportunities to further my Rugby League in Australia, including my current great opportunity with the Fassifern Bombers and in the national squad over the past three seasons. I can’t wait to get the opportunity to get out in front of the whole of Santo and play for my country again, it’s going to be great”, Mr Kenie said.

Kenie will be joined by his Fassifern Bombers teammates in Sweeny Sablan, who played both Test matches in 2013 on the wing and young Xavier Philips who will be looking to make his Test debut. Test centre Nelson Law who spent the year in Australia with Queensland Cup outfit the Tweed Heads Seagulls A Grade team, has also gained selection.

Veteran and prolific try-scorer Jason Pakoasongi will be looking to add to his incredible record of playing and scoring in every one of Vanuatu’s Test matches to date. Pakoasongi a lawyer with the State Law Office just seems to get better and better each year which defies his 37 years of age and place as the elder statesman of the team.

Alex Philips, Rob Franklin, Ben Lui and Tonny Lui have also been selected and will all be looking to add to their 2013 Test caps. While Dominique Sablan, Dave Lolo, Filimone Masei and Shayne Tuilagi will be looking to force their way into the final 18 man team and make their Test debut.

Interim coach and former player John Nash was very pleased with the final 21 player squad selected.

“We’ve got a great mix of experienced players and young talented players that have improved dramatically over the past few years. It will be a tough match against the Asian champions but on the back of a large and boisterous home crowd, I think we might just surprise a few people”, Mr Nash stated.

The final 21 man squad to be led by Coach John Nash and Captain James Wood is:

Anthony Delaivuna
Rob Franklin
Herbie Henderson
Jean Pierrez Kenie
Nelson Law
Samuela Loaloadravu
Dave Lolo
Ben Lui
Tonny Lui
Filimone Masei
Jason Pakoasongi
Alex Philip
Xavier Philip
Sam Pierce
Dominique Sablan
Sweeny Sablan
Joshua Tanner
Erick Tosusu
Shayne Tuilagi
James Wood (Captain)
Ben Henderson (non-playing)

 

[TheFrog]

Go the mighty Tamaraws.

 

[Evil Homer]

Cool, I hope Vanuatu can enter the World Cup Qualifiers (I guess Philippines probably won't meet the minimum requirements?).

 

[expansionist]

This is a week away?? How long ago was this confirmed?

Bummer - had I known about this ealier I would have gone to the match. I am always keen for another opportunity to visit Vanuatu - honestly one of my favourite places on earth.. and Santo itself is amazing.

 

[Benny]

This is a week away?? How long ago was this confirmed?

Bummer - had I known about this ealier I would have gone to the match. I am always keen for another opportunity to visit Vanuatu - honestly one of my favourite places on earth.. and Santo itself is amazing.

Sorry mate it has been planned for a few months now but only officially locked in a month or two back when financial security for the event was put in place.

Just been so busy organising it all, didn't have time to jump on here and just thought of it today.

Santo is a great place - that is for sure.

 

[expansionist]

its my own fault actually - i just kind of expect to hear of any international news on this forum, so I tend not to really look much further afield!

 

[siv]

Good to see

Would love to see 3 tiers of Asia-Pacific Cup, Shield and Bowl

 

[Sydney Knight]

Good to see a developing nation playing a home international

 

[Benny]

Good to see a developing nation playing a home international

It's much easier logistically and financially to play in Australia but the Vanuatu Rugby League have made the decision to play where possible all games in Vanuatu if it is financially viable - once it isn't then we'll have to re-assess.

Santo is a new market and we hope it can be more profitable than Port Vila.

Though we would also be happy to travel to another developing country and play in their backyard to return the favour.

 

[TheFrog]

In today's Test match at Wentworthville (Sydney) Niue defeated the Philippines Tamaraws 36-22. In the Under 23 match Philippines defeated Thailand 48-0.

 

[Benny]

http://vanuaturl.com/site/meninga-late-inclusion-national-squad/

Meninga a late inclusion into National Squad

Joey Meninga has been a late addition to the Vanuatu Rugby League squad to face the Philippines in Santo next Saturday. Meninga, the nephew of Mal Meninga has played in all three Test matches for Vanuatu. Meninga currently plays as a winger for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup but is again expected to start in the second row where he has exclusively played for Vanuatu.

The final 22 man squad to be led by Coach John Nash and Captain James Wood is:

Anthony Delaivuna

Rob Franklin

Herbie Henderson

Jean Pierrez Kenie

Nelson Law

Samuela Loaloadravu

Dave Lolo

Ben Lui

Tonny Lui

Filimone Masei

Joey Meninga

Jason Pakoasongi

Alex Philip

Xavier Philip

Sam Pierce

Dominique Sablan

Sweeny Sablan

Joshua Tanner

Erick Tosusu

Shayne Tuilagi

James Wood (Captain)

Ben Henderson (non-playing)

 

[Evil Homer]

Not entirely OT, Widnes Vikings have just signed a Philippines-born player to their first grade squad.

http://www.widnesvikings.co.uk/article/40720/almer-handed-first-team-contrac

 

[biggestbroncosfan]

Philippines ended up winning this game 36-16. Pretty good result for them and not a bad performance against Niue last week. It's really a shame that we can't see countries like Tonga and the Cook Islands who played in last year's World Cup play test matches this year.

 

[tamaraws0402]

Philippines ended up winning this game 36-16. Pretty good result for them and not a bad performance against Niue last week. It's really a shame that we can't see countries like Tonga and the Cook Islands who played in last year's World Cup play test matches this year.

Hi score was 32-16 here is the match report summary from the Rugby League Coaching Manual website


Match Report
Date: Saturday 11th October 2014
Venue: Chapius Stadium in Luganville, Espiritu-Santo (Vanuatu)
Curtain Raiser: Port Vila 28 defeated Santo Boars 20
Main Game: Philippines 32 defeated Vanuatu 16
Referee: Nicholas Pelgrave (Australia)
Man of the Match: Rez Phillips (Philippines)
Crowd: 2,021

By the Clock:
14th Minute: Try to Philippines Number 4 (Dennis Gordon). Philippines 4 - Vanuatu 0.
15th Minute: Goal to Philippines Number 6 (Arwin Marcus). Philippines 6 - Vanuatu 0.
22nd Minute: Try to Philippines Number 4 (Dennis Gordon). Philippines 10 - Vanuatu 0.
23rd Minute: Goal to Philippines Number 2 (Steve Tolo). Philippines 12 - Vanuatu 0.
34th Minute: Try to Philippines Number 5 (Jonico Hardwick). Philippines 16 - Vanuatu 0.
36th Minute: Goal to Philippines Number 2 (Steve Tolo). Philippines 18 - Vanuatu 0.
40th Minute: Try to Philippines Number 5 (Jonico Hardwick). Philippines 22 - Vanuatu 0.
40th Minute: Goal to Philippines Number 2 (Steve Tolo). Philippines 24 - Vanuatu 0.
Half-Time: Philippines 24 - Vanuatu 0
44th Minute: Try to Vanuatu Number 6 (James Wood). Philippines 24 - Vanuatu 4.
45th Minute: Goal to Vanuatu Number 7 (Joshua Tanner). Philippines 24 - Vanuatu 6.
48th Minute: Try to Vanuatu Number 2 (Xavier Philip). Philippines 24 - Vanuatu 10.
50th Minute: Goal to Vanuatu Number 7 (Joshua Tanner). Philippines 24 - Vanuatu 12.
60th Minute: Try to Philippines Number 3 (Shane Gray). Philippines 28 - Vanuatu 12.
61st Minute: Goal to Philippines Number 2 (Steve Tolo). Philippines 30- Vanuatu 12.
66th Minute: Try to Vanuatu Number 5 (Sweeny Sablan). Philippines 30 - Vanuatu 16.
80th Minute: Penalty Goal to Philippines Number 7 (Paul Sheedy). Philippines 32 - Vanuatu 16.
Full-Time: Philippines 32 - Vanuatu 16

 

[expansionist]

any images of this anywhere?