By Richard Cowley, Date: 22/10/12
Greece overcame Vanuatu 14 – 24 in a close match on Saturday night in Port Vila. Both teams flew in players from Australia to field the strongest possible sides for the one off international between the two nations.
This was the first international Vanuatu had played against Greece and the game itself was a part of plans to raise to profile of rugby league in the fledgling rugby league nation.
The Greek team who are coached by Wests Tigers NRL Assistant Coach Steve Georgallis continued their winning ways by picking up where they left off in 2009 when they defeated Italy and Portugal to win the Mediterranean Shield.
Both nations will now focus on developing long term plans to help grow the game locally. Vanuatu and Greece have aspirations of qualifying for the 2017 World Cup. Before either nation can participate they will need to meet the minimum criteria the Rugby League International Federations (RLIF) has in place which includes the establishment of a local rugby league competition.
