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)

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 11^th 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 7^th 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.

Vanuatu’s inaugural Rugby League Test Captain James Wood will return to lead Vanuatu into battle at Chapius Stadium on Saturday 11^th 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 3^rd 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.

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

For more information on how to purchase tickets to this exciting event please Contact us

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

Match Details

Date: Saturday 11^th 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 7^th 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.