Vanuatu Rugby League will select its national squad for their third test match against Solomon Islands after their upcoming Annual Island of Origin in September.
President of Vanuatu Rugby League Tom Carlo said at this stage they just completed the Port Villa Rugby League season.
He said a high performance squad representing the Port Vila Fire Ants will be selected to play against Santo Boars for the Annual Island of Origin.
He said after the Annual Island of Origin, a final selection trial for the squad will then be selected to travel to Solomon Islands for the test match.
Carlo said they are expecting a tough game in Solomon Islands considering they were just lucky to defeat Solomon Island with a close game during their previous test match.
In their first test match held in Australia, the Vanuatu side came from behind to defeat Solomon Islands 48-30 and last year they also came from behind to win the game 24-15.
“Playing in Solomon Islands will be a totally different proposition and an even hard task for our team.
“We’ll prepare and play to the best of our ability and our aim is to win the game but regardless we expect a very close and hard fought game played in Great Spirit with our Melanesian neighbours,” he said.
Carlo said apart from the test match they are looking forward for big games next year.
“We have placed our expression of interest to play in the 2018 Commonwealth Games Championship in February in Australia and that will depend on the confirmation from the Rugby League International Federation early August.
“We are also confirmed to play in the Emerging National World Championships in Australia at the end of 2018 that is open to all teams that didn’t qualify for this year Rugby League World Cup.
“We are also looking to grow our domestic competitions in both Port Villa and Santo, introduce women to the game and build on our junior development programs,” he said.
The third test match is a historical event for Solomon Islands Rugby League to host in their home country.
Solomon Island Rugby League (SIRL) has already set up its plan in preparation for the match.
President of SIRL League Jerry Tengemoana said as part of their preparation they will organize super four competition to select their national training squad.
He said the super four will start early next month after the Rugby Union completed their competition.
He said he is confident to take on the Vanuatu side because from their last year game they were very close to win but it was unfortunate for them.