Everyone loves seeing legends of the game come together, and in a bold initiative by Papua New Guinea, an Australian Legends side will take on a Papua New Guinean Legends side, in the Ela Motors Legends of League Challenge, on November 18.
Both Ela Motors and the Papua New Guinean Rugby League Bid were there to announce the game, with Sports Vice-Minister Labi Amaiu, Bid Committee member Graham Osborne, Legends of League Organiser Troy Byers and former Australian rugby league player Scott Hill, all present.
Rob McKeon, the National and Sales Marketing Manager at Ela Motors, said:
“The value of this event to the community is huge for us.
“It is the satisfaction of being able to assist these kind of events, that give the local community the opportunity to see players and stars that they only see on TV, that is value for us,â€
Papua New Guinean Bid Chief Brad Tassell also had a say on the matter, with Tassell excited that a new and exciting concept and match will take place.
“We are very proud to be able to present this international event to the people of PNG,” Tassell said.
“The event confirmed itself as an annual event after a successful debut last year, and is set to be even bigger and better.”
With the glowing endorsement and success of the Origin Legends game from last year, the decision was made to take the Legends concept even further, and this was the next step towards doing so.
“It will be a wonderful three days and will celebrate and recognize not only the former Australian greats, but also the former PNG greats of the game,†Tassell said in the release.
The match will be broadcast if you happen to live in Papua New Guinea on EMTV, with the PNG business corporate sector able to support the event via sponsorship packages.
The game will feature some of the stars of rugby league of yesteryear, with the PNG side to feature such names as: Marcus Bai, Adrian Lam, Arnold Krewanty, Stanley Gene, Louta Atoi (now a North Bougainville MP), Raymond Karl, Ben Bire, Stanley Haru, Kera Ngaffi, Joe Gispe and Bal Numapo.
The Australian side will also feature some familiar names with: Scott Hill, David Peachey, Robbie O’Davis, Nathan Blacklock, Wayne Bartrim and Julian O’Neill.
There are possibly some other former NRL players in Brett Kimmorley, Brad Fittler and Preston Campbell that may play for the Australian Legends side, but they are yet to confirm their interest.