The Oil Search Rugby League World Cup Trophy tour began today, with its first leg to Lae, Morobe Province.
The Paul Barrièr Trophy will travel around Papua New Guinea and will return on October 13.
Just like the Pacific Games baton, Oil Search has come up with the initiative of taking the Rugby League World Cup Trophy to the different provinces around Papua New Guinea.
The trophy made a brief visit to Port Moresby in April, and was carried around the National Football Stadium during a Hunters match.
Oil Search PNG Stakeholder General Manager, Leon Buskins, says Oil Search is excited to bring the Trophy to the people of PNG.
The Trophy started its tour in Lae, and will travel to Wau and Bulolo, where Rugby League was first played in the 1930’s.
Oil Search Managing Director, Peter Botten, says it is a fantastic opportunity for people around the country to get a closer look at the World Cup Trophy, and ensured, this will not be a one-off event.
The Rugby League World Cup is the second oldest World Cup to be played. The oldest being football…
Rugby League World Cup 2017 CEO Andrew Hill was present at today’s event, and thanked Oil Search for their partnership with the RLWC Committee.
PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka was grateful for the opportunity to see the Trophy tour the country, and says Rugby League will not be the same in PNG after this World Cup.
Oil Search thanked supporting partners such as Lae Biscuit Company, Harmony Gold, Pacific Helicopters and New Crest Mining that have made the tour possible.
The trophy will tour the country until the 13th of October, 2 weeks before the Kumuls’ first match at the National Football Stadium.
