Lions due in Moresby for Kumuls test

A GOOD crowd is expected at the Jackson International Airport to welcome the Great Britain Rugby League Lions when they arrive in Port Moresby at 12.20pm today, ahead of their clash with the Papua New Guinea LNG Kumuls at the Oil Search National Football Stadium on Saturday.
The Lions are coached by Wayne Bennett and captained by St George Illawarra Dragons forward James Graham.
Players arriving tomorrow include Gareth Widdop (St George Ilawarra Dragons), Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Canberra Raiders trio Josh Hodgson, John Bateman and Elliot Whitehead, and former Raiders playmaker Blake Austin and former North Queensland Cowboys fullback Lacklan Coote, now playing in the Super League in England.
PNG Rugby Football League chief executive Reatau Rau said the Lions were touring PNG after 23 years.
“Great Britain were the first international team to play the Kumuls in 1975 in Port Moresby after PNGRFL became a full member of International Rugby League in 1974,” he said.
Rau said both countries had met on nine occasions, seven in PNG with the last in Port Moresby in 1992 and Lae in 1996. The Lions won eight of the matches.
“The Kumuls’ only win against Great Britain was in the first of a two-test series in Goroka in 1990,” he said.
Rau said tickets for the game were on sale now at the Tiketmastas outlets at Brian Bell (Boroko, Vision City and Gorodon), Cool Stuff (Waterfront) and J-Mart (Erima).
Ticket prices are K120 (grandstand), K60 (west wing), K45 (east stand)and K35 (south and north stands).
The Oil Search Orchids and England Women’s Rugby League face off in the curtain-raiser, which kicks off at 3pm.
The Kumuls-Lions clash kicks off at 5.30pm.
“Get your tickets early for the double-header,” Rau said.