photo by Ian Lovell

Celtic Crusaders' Brewery Field will host the prestigious rugby league fixture between Wales and Papua New Guinea on Sunday 28th October 2007 (kick-off 3pm). Admission will be £5 for adults and £3 for all concessions (students, seniors and children).

This will be Wales' third meeting with the Kumuls.

The first was at the Vetch Field in Swansea in 1991 in one of Wales Rugby League's most memorable nights, when the principality’s side played their first international match in seven years with Jonathan Davies scoring 24 points in a 68-0 victory.

The second meeting was a slightly closer 22-8 victory for the Dragons in the quarter-finals of the 2000 World Cup in Widnes. Lee Briers, Jason Critchley and

Wes Davies scored the Welsh tries that day with Iestyn Harris kicking five goals.

John Devereux was the only Welsh player to compete in both games and he believes that this match will test the Welsh players to the limit as they prepare for their crucial World Cup match in Scotland on November 4th.

"There was talk about it being in Newport but on a personal point of view, it's nice that the game is to be in Bridgend as it's my home town," Devereux said. "PNG should prove to be a tough challenge for the Welsh lads as they have some strong players.

"I've good memories of my two games against them. The first in Swansea was a great occasion and a flawless performance from us, especially as it was all the old rugby union boys coming back to Wales. The second in 2000 was a lot harder but it was good to play at the new Widnes ground – I only played at the old ground when I was a Widnes player.”

Papua New Guinea qualified automatically for the 2008 World Cup in Australia and are using this tour to get some valuable match practice.

article by Ian Golden
28 August 2007