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.

To keep up to date follow the Vanuatu Rugby League on Facebook.
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.

In a hard fought match, the Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) lost an epic battle in their maiden match on Suncorp Stadium today (23 February 2014) versus the Sunshine Coast Falcons (44 points to 6).

The game started at a frantic pace as both teams played end to end football. Vanuatu had several early chances to score but were overcome by some strong Falcons defence.

Inexperience by the Vanuatu side and several penalties saw the Sunshine Coast score two early tries to lead 12-0 at the quarter. Sunshine Coast scored again at the 23rd minute to race out to a 16 – 0 lead.

It took a big shot by Santo raised front rower Herbie Henderson in the 30th minute to force a turnover and only 1 minute later the same player charged over from 10 metres out to score Vanuatu’s first and only try. It was converted by fullback Kunro Kalo to trail 16-6.

The Falcons with all the possession  on the back of an 8 – 1 penalty count scored just before half-time to head into the break up 20 – 6.

The second half started poorly for Vanuatu with a mistake off the kick off forcing a line drop out and a try to the Falcons in the 41st minute. The Falcons scored further tries in the 46th, 55th and 77thminute to run out convincing 44-6 victors.

The Vanuatu team despite being on the end of a lopsided penalty count kept trying all game and thrilled the crowd with big shots in defence and tireless work in defence. Centre Nelson Law and fullback Kunro Kalo were two of the strongest performers for a highly talented Vanuatu team.

The Vanuatu team were disappointed with the score line but not in the result and invaluable experience it gave to the players. Head Coach David Simpson commented ” I was really proud of everyone in the 24 man squad and the effort they put in today.”

“It is the biggest stage we’ve played on and considering most of the 12 players from Vanuatu were only playing in most cases their 3rd or 4th game of Rugby League at this level it is very pleasing.”

“We’ll continue to work hard and put as much time and resources as we can into our High Performance Units in both Port Vila and Santo in Vanuatu and continue to grow the game domestically as we work towards the end of year Test Matches and the Pacific Games and World Cup qualifiers in 2015″.

Vanuatu’s next fixture is expected to be one or two Test Matches in October.
Sunshine Coast 44 defeated Vanuatu 6 (Herbie Henderson Try and Kunro Kalo Goal).

The full squad and numbers were:
1.    Kunro Kalo
2.    Sweeney Sablan
3.    Alex Marango
4.    Nelson Law
5.    Alex Phillip
6.    Ben Henaway
7.    Josh Tanner
8.    Geoffrey Kausei
9.    Anthony Delaivuna
10.    Herbie Henderson
11.    Joey Meninga
12.    Ben Titoko
13.    Samuela Loaloadravu
14.    Rob Franklin
15.    Jason Pakoasongi
16.    Antonio Korikalo
17.    Julian Wells
18.    Dave Lolo
19.    Robbie Congoo
20.    Jean-Pierez Kenie
21.    Ben Lui
22.    Lorenzo Mahi
23.    Alfie Henderson
24.    Erick Tosusu

Santo product and Vanuatu test prop Herby Henderson led from the front for the VRL Invitational side against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the match at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. In a match where the score line didn’t represent the closeness of the contest Henderson was a stand out. His strong charges constantly threatened the line and he was rewarded with a try late in the first half. He also pulled off some absolute bell ringers in defence forcing at least two Falcons players from the field.
Herby isnt the only big hitter in the family, he was joined by two of his cousins Alfie Henderson and Anthony Delavuna who were also outstanding for the VRL invitational side. The boys will now turn their attention to VRL fixtures later in the year . Follow us on facebook or watch this space for more info on up coming promotions and events.

The Vanuatu Rugby League would like to take the time to thank Jimmy and Ethel Togo (Tuku) and family for their recent fundraiser.
The day took place at the Fingal Public School where island Kakai was prepaired and cooked traditionally under the ground.
The money raised will go towards the Vrl’s up coming ventures including the touring team to play at Suncorp Stadium on Febuary 23rd.

The Vrl would once again like to thank the Togo family for their support. Any one who would like to find out more or how they could help, go to the contact us page.

Sunday hailed the start of the footy season for the Tweed Heads Seagulls with their first round of trial games. The game drew a large crowd to watch the Seagulls take on the Titans 20′s team. Two keen on lookers on the night were Titans head coach John Cartwright and Seagulls Head Coach Aaron Zimmerle, who both would have left with plenty of positives on their mind.
National team members Kunro kalo and Joe Meninga impressed the Gulls assistant coach Matt Pow who was at the helm for the game. ” Joey got through a heap of work and was really tough tonight, and Kunro had some good touches on the edges and made some great try saving tackles”.

“They realy put their best foot forward leading into the second week of trials”.