Over the last few weeks Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) stars Kalpat Steedman, Tonny Lui, Robert Franklin, James Wilfred, Jean-Pierez Kenie, Roger Tokona and Ian Vuti have returned to Vanuatu after successful playing stints in Australia, following on from the highly successful Vanuatu-South Sea Island Invitational tour of Queensland.

Steedman, Lui, Franklin and Wilfred all played with the Noosa Pirates, Tokona and Vuti played with the Burdekin Roosters while Kenie had stints with both the Souths Mackay and Noosa Pirates clubs. The players return to Vanuatu and will take their new found skills into the local competitions in both Shefa and Sanma provinces.

NRL

Justin O’Neill’s Melbourne Storm have suffered their first defeat of the season going down 24-20 to the Canberra Raiders in Melbourne on Saturday night. In fact it was the first defeat for the Storm in 16 matches since their 26 to 18 Round 21 defeat by the St.George Illawarra back on 27^th July, 2012. O’Neill scored a try in the 58^th minute, playing all 80 minutes at centre in which he made 7 runs for 35 metres and made 12 tackles in addition to his try.

O’Neill has been selected to start in the centres for the Storm in their clash this Sunday with the Penrith Panthers at Centrebet Stadium (Sydney, Australia) at 6:30pm (7:30pm Vanuatu time) with the match live on Fox Sports 1.

U/20’s – National Youth Competition

Samsen O’Neill’s North Queensland Cowboys U/20 side was defeated by the Parramatta Eels 16 to 10 last Saturday night in Sydney. Playing all 80 minutes on the wing, O’Neill ran 11 times for 100 metres, including 2 tackle breaks and made 11 tackles.

O’Neill has been selected on the wing for the Cowboys game on Friday night against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Stadium Australia (Sydney, Australia) with kick off at 5:15pm (6:15pm Vanuatu time).

NSW Cup

Alehana Mara, in his second game back from injury and playing off the interchange bench was part of the Auckland Vulcans 48 to 10 loss by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks last Saturday in Sydney.

Mara has been selected to come off the interchange bench for the Vulcans in their match with the Wyong Roos this Saturday at Westpac Stadium (Wellington, New Zealand) at 3pm (2pm Vanuatu time) with the match Live on Fox Sports 1.

QLD Cup

Jarvan White scored his 4^th try of the year in the Ipswich Jets 20 to 10 victory over the Burleigh Bears last Sunday on the Gold Coast. It was the Jets 5^th win of the season, leaving them in 4^th place in the competition. Despite missing the game through injury Ben Henaway’s Souths Logan Magpies had a 38 to 26 victory over James Wood’s Tweed Head Seagulls. Wood’s the Vanuatu and Seagulls Captain scored a try in the loss which has the club sitting in 7^th place, with the Magpies in 5^th.

Wood’s, selected at centre and White, selected at fullback will go head to head this week as the Seagulls take on the Jets. The match which will be shown live on Channel 9 throughout Queensland will be at North Ipswich Reserve (Brisbane Australia) on Sunday at 2pm (3pm Vanuatu time). Henaway’s Magpies have the bye this week.

In a boost for Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) a number of stars have returned from injury over the weekend. Justin O’Neill made a successful comeback for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL after several weeks out with injury and Alehana Mara coming back from an ankle injury played for the Auckland Vulcans in the NSW Cup.

On the local front VRL – Shefa will begin a four team competition involving Ifira, Bulldogs, Warriors and Shepherds on the 8^th May with the Grand Final scheduled for 11^th July. It will be the VRL’s first competition in its history and a chance for local players to push for selection for the National Team in October.

For more information on how to get involved in Rugby League in Vanuatu you can contact VRL Official Leonard Ngwero on +678 7788992 or email vanuaturugbyleague@gmail.com, visit the website www.vanuaturugbyleague.com or follow the VRL on Facebook.

NRL

Justin O’Neill’s return for the Melbourne Storm saw them escape with a come from behind 28 to 18 victory over the New Zealand Warriors on ANZAC Day last Thursday in Melbourne to remain undefeated in 2013 and on top of the NRL ladder. O’Neill playing in Jersey 20, started in the centres and played all 80 minutes making 7 runs for 86 metres, including 3 tackle breaks and making 15 tackles.

O’Neill has been selected to start in the centres for the Storm in their clash this Saturday with the Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park (Melbourne, Australia) at 5:30pm (6:30pm Vanuatu time) with the match live on Fox Sports 1.

U/20’s – National Youth Competition

Samsen O’Neill scored a try in the 56^th minute having started on the wing for North Queensland Cowboys U/20 side and playing all 80 minutes in their 18 to 14 defeat by the Canberra Raiders in Townsville on Saturday night. O’Neill ran 8 times for 51 metres, including 2 tackle breaks and made 7 tackles in addition to his try.

O’Neill has been selected on the wing for the Cowboys game on Saturday night against the Parramatta Eels at Parramatta Stadium (Sydney, Australia) with kick off at 5:15pm (6:15pm Vanuatu time).

NSW Cup

Alehana Mara, returning from injury and playing off the interchange bench helped his Auckland Vulcans to a 26 to 24 victory over Wests Tigers last Saturday in Auckland.

Mara has been selected to come off the interchange bench for the Vulcans in their match with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks this Saturday at Henson Park (Sydney, Australia) at 1pm (2pm Vanuatu time).

QLD Cup

Jarvan White was the star for the Ipswich Jets, scoring two tries in the 32 to 26 victory over the Central Capras last Saturday in Rockhampton. Vanuatu and Tweed Head Seagulls Captain James Wood also scored in his sides hard fought 22 all draw with the Mackay Cutters last Saturday in Mackay. Ben Henaway remains out injured but his Souths Logan Magpies were defeated 26 to 12 by the Redcliffe Dolphins in Brisbane last Sunday.

White has been picked to start at fullbacks for the Jets clash with the Burleigh Bears on Sunday at Pizzey Park (Gold Coast, Australia) with kick off at 3pm (4pm Vanuatu time). Wood’s has been selected to start in the centres for the Seagulls clash with Henaway’s Magpies on Sunday at Piggabeen Sports Complex (Gold Coast, Australia) with kick off at 3pm (4pm Vanuatu time). Henaway remains out with injury.

Regional Leagues

Players who were with Noosa Pirates and Burdekin Roosters have returned to Vanuatu following the expiration of their visas and will now take their new skills to the domestic competitions in Port Vila and Luganville.

Alex Marango has commenced training with the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles and is likely to feature in the Sea Eagles Under 20’s side over the coming weeks.

Full results and team lists for NRL and the U/20’s National Youth Competition can be found at www.nrl.com

Full results and team lists for NSW Cup can be found at www.nswrl.com.au

Full results and team lists for QLD Cup can be found at www.qrl.com.au