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International teams to tour down under
Auckland, New Zealand, July 12, 2019 – Grassroots
rugby league will be given a huge boost when the England
Community Lions and Country Rugby League of New South Wales
both tour New Zealand in October this year. The tours will
provide opportunities for New Zealand players to take on the
visiting teams with the matches involving the Community
Lions being broadcast live on SKY Sport. The England
Community Lions will kick off their first-ever New Zealand
tour with a match against a North Island Championship
Selection at Owen Delany Park in Taupo on October
24. They’ll then feature against the New Zealand Māori
Residents XIII team at the New Zealand Māori Rugby League
National Tuakana Tournament in Rotorua on Sunday, October
27, with a third match to be announced soon. The Country
Rugby League of NSW team will play the same North Island
Championship Selection taking on the Community Lions at the
NZRL Youth Tournament in Rotorua on October 8, followed by
an encounter with the Rockcote Canterbury Bulls at the new
Christchurch home of rugby league, Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub,
on October 12. "This is extremely exciting for our local
game," said NZRL CEO Greg Peters. "With the Community
Lions’ games being televised live, these matches will
attract national audiences and further showcase the
undeniable regional talent we have on offer. We're very
thankful to SKY Sport for their ongoing support. "Going
forward we're looking to provide more regular opportunities
to further enhance the quality of our grassroots game for
both our men's and women's teams, as well as for
international teams wanting to make the trip down
under.
"We're thrilled that our local game will be
showcased nationwide during a busy international calendar.
It’s an exciting time for rugby league at all
levels." Rugby Football League international manager Alan
Davidson said: "There is a buzz around the squad who are all
eager to travel and challenge themselves against very good
opposition. "As the England Community Lions are made up of
amateur players from across the country, having the
opportunity to travel to the other side of the world is
something that doesn't come around too often. "This is the
first time the Community Lions have toured New Zealand and
the players are looking forward to not only the calibre of
games lined up but also the chance to be able to experience
the Kiwi culture and visit different places across the
country." Country Rugby League of NSW CEO Terry Quinn said
his organisation was looking forward to the upcoming tour
and the benefits it will bring. “This is the first time
Country Rugby League will tour New Zealand with our Men’s
Under-23’s Representative side so we are extremely
excited,” Quinn said. "This is a wonderful opportunity
for some of the brightest talent in regional New South Wales
to showcase their skill and compete against players they
wouldn't normally compete against, as well as experience a
different culture. "The relationship we have with the New
Zealand Rugby League is one we are hoping to continue for
many years, and this tour is a fantastic opportunity for
Australian and New Zealand Rugby League to unite." Full
details on all the England Community Lions and NSW Country
Rugby League matches will be released
soon.
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