Port Moresby will host three pool matches of the Rugby League World Cup 2017 (RLWC2017), as announced today at the Official Tournament Draw in Brisbane.
With venue yet to be announced, Moresby will hosts the Papua New Guinea Kumuls’ three pool matches in the RLWC2017 from 27 Oct to 2 Dec 2017.
The RLWC2017 will see 14 teams play 28 games over five weeks, all hoping to be crowned world champions.
With 11 teams already confirmed, the final three teams will come from the European Qualifying Tournament to be played in Oct and Nov this year.
The teams who are still in the race include Wales, Ireland, Russia, Serbia, Italy and Spain.
The composition of the pools for RLWC2017 was shaped by a number of considerations, including the final placings from the 2013 World Cup and current world rankings.
Kumuls have been placed in Pool C along with European Qualifier 1 and European Qualifier 2.
Pool A consists of Australia, England, France and Lebanon. Pool B has New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland and Tonga. Fiji, USA and European Qualifier 3 are grouped in Pool D.
Kumuls will face a European Qualifier on both Saturday, Oct 28 and Sunday, Nov 5 followed by an entertaining encounter against the USA Hawks on Sunday, Nov 12 2017.
Ticket details for games played in PNG will be announced in due course.
Kumuls coach Michael Marum and captain David Mead were present during the announcement.
The Kangaroos Australian coach Mal Meninga and captain Cameron Smith and Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney and captain Jesse Bromwich also attended the event.