Double-header for NFS

By JACK AMI
THE PNG Rugby Football League yesterday announced that two international fixtures will be hosted in Port Moresby on Feb 24.
The Melanesian Cup clash between the Lae Tigers and the Nadi Aviators will be the curtain-raiser to the PNG Hunters and the Brisbane Broncos pre-season trial.
The announcement was made by PNGRFL chief executive officer Reatau Rau and National Football Stadium trustee board member Leon Buskens in a press conference at the NFS yesterday.
“The annual RLIF-sanctioned Melanesia Club Championship Cup match played between the premiers of Fiji National Rugby League and the Digicel Cup will be the first of the double-header,” Rau said.
“Fiji premiers, Nadi Aviators, take on current Melanesian Club champions and Digicel Cup premiers Lae Snax Tigers at 12.45pm.”
This will be followed by pre-season trial match between 2017 Queensland Intrust Super Cup premiers SP Hunters and the NRL giants Brisbane Broncos at 3.30pm.
Rau said that the Broncos and the Aviators would arrive in PNG on Thursday, Feb 22.
He said the NRL team has other activities for their visit to the country such as visits to villages, schools and the Bomana war cemetery. The captains’ run is on Feb 23 at the NFS.
“Another addition is the fan zone with sponsors to market their products and merchandises,” Rau said.
Rau said only 20 players would play in the four-quarter match to be controlled by a National Rugby League referee yet to be named.
Buskens said the board was proud to deliver another world class event involving Brisbane Broncos.
Buskens said the showdown against a first class Broncos side should be a sellout.
He said for protocol and security reason the visiting Broncos would be advised not to throw any items to the crowd after the game like other visiting teams have done before.
“The security measures and enforcement of this will be strict at NFS, Jackson Airport and Stanley Hotel (where the team will be residing),” Buskens said.
Ticket prices are: Grandstand – K120, Western stand – K80, Eastern stand – K50 and Northern and Southern stands – K30.
Tickets will go on sale from 9am on Sat, Feb 10 at all ticketmastas outlets in Port Moresby — Brian Bell Plaza Boroko, Brian Bell Home Centre Gordons, Brian Bell Vision City, Cool Stuff at Waterfront and J Mart Erima.
“I thank Oil Search for their partnership in hosting this international double-header,” Buskens said.