PNG to tour
France in 2007

The May 4th Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) meeting in Brisbane has brought about increased schedules for The Papua New Guinea Kumuls and the French Chanticleers leading into the 2008 World Cup. PNG have agreed to tour France in October 2007, and the French will reciprocate by visiting PNG on the way to the World Cup in 2008.

Speaking to PNG?s The National, the national deputy chairman of the PNGRFL, Albert Veratau, revealed that PNG will follow the lead of the likes of Fiji and the Cook Islands by selecting future national teams after a trial match between local and overseas based stars. Veratau said the PNGRFL had made a request to the RLIF to take on either The British Lions or New Zealand Kiwis as part of their preparation for the 2006 Tri-Nations tournament. Furthermore, Veratau revealed that Tonga and The Cook Islands have both expressed an interest to play against the Kumuls in the lead up to the 2008 show piece of Rugby League.

Further news to emerge from the RLIF meeting is that the Australian Rugby League have indicated to extend their support to finance the chief executive officer's salary for another two years. Jeff Wade is currently employed in this position.

PNG are automatic qualifiers for the 2008 World Cup. In 2006 they will take on Malta in October and most likely again play a series against the Junior Roos or Kangaroos not involved in the NRL finals series.

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