Pictures John Hopkins
THE Papua New Guinea men’s Rugby League World Cup team was given a warm welcome by their host town of Warrington during a special event at the Halliwell Jones Stadium last night.
The only country in the world where Rugby League is the national sport, Papua New Guinea are seen as one of the “dark horses” of the competition which kicks off this weekend, due to their fast-flowing style of game.
Last night’s event featured music from local bands and the Church of Warrington Choir, the official RLWC2021 poem “Power of Together” and an introduction to the team.
The Pacific Islanders nicknamed “The Kumuls” are ranked sixth in the competition and could be dark horses and are well known for a thrilling style of rugby which is sure to thrill fans at the Halliwell Jones Stadium when they play the Cook Islands on Tuesday, October 25, kick off 7:30pm.
Warrington is used to seeing thrilling rugby league action and has a hugely passionate fan base and welcomed exciting Papua New Guinea squad with open arms for the competition postponed last year due to the COVID pandemic.
After being introduced to the crowd, players mingled with local rugby league fans, taking time out for selfies!
Full Fixtures:
Saturday, October 15: England vs Samoa (St James’ Park, 2.30pm), Australia vs Fiji (Headingley, 7.30pm).
Sunday, October 16: Scotland vs Italy (Kingston Park, 2.30pm), Jamaica vs Ireland (Headingley, 5pm), New Zealand vs Lebanon (Halliwell Jones Stadium, 7.30pm).
Monday, October 17: France vs Greece (Eco-power Stadium, 7.30pm).
Tuesday, October 18: Tonga vs Papua New Guinea (Totally Wicked Stadium, 7.30pm).
Wednesday, October 19: Wales vs Cook Islands (Leigh Sports Village, 7.30pm).
Friday, October 21: Australia vs Scotland (Coventry Building Society Arena, 7.30pm).
Saturday, October 22: Fiji vs Italy (Kingston Park, 2.30pm), England vs France (University of Bolton Stadium, 5pm), New Zealand vs Jamaica (MKM Stadium, 7.30pm).
Sunday, October 23: Lebanon vs Ireland (Leigh Sports Village, 2.30pm), Samoa vs Greece (Keepmoat Stadium, 5pm), Tonga vs Wales (Totally Wicked Stadium, 7.30pm).
Tuesday, October 25: Papua New Guinea vs Cook Islands (Halliwell Jones Stadium, 7.30pm).
Friday, October 28: New Zealand vs Ireland (Headingley, 7.30pm).
Saturday, October 29: England vs Greece (Bramall Lane, 2.30pm), Fiji vs Scotland (Kingston Park, 5pm), Australia vs Italy (Totally Wicked Stadium, 7.30pm).
Sunday, October 30: Lebanon vs Jamaica (Leigh Sports Village, 12pm), Tonga vs Cook Islands (Riverside Stadium, 2.30pm), Samoa vs France (Halliwell Jones Stadium, 5pm).
Monday, October 31: Papua New Guinea vs Wales (Keepmoat Stadium 7.30pm).
Friday, November 4: Quarter-final 1 – Group B winner vs Group C runner-up (John Smith’s Stadium, 7.30pm).
Saturday, November 5: Quarter-final 2 – Group A winner vs Group D runner-up (DW Stadium, 2.30pm), Quarter-final 3 – Group C winner vs Group B runner-up (MKM Stadium, 7.30pm).
Sunday, November 6: Quarter-final 4 – Group D winner vs Group A runner-up (Halliwell Jones Stadium, 2.30pm).
Friday, November 11: Semi-final 1 – Quarter-final 1 winner vs Quarter-final 3 winner (Elland Road, 7.45pm).
Saturday, November 12: Semi-final 2 – Quarter-final 2 winner vs Quarter-final 4 winner (Emirates Stadium, 2.30pm).
Saturday, November 19: Final (Old Trafford, 4pm).
