23 Sep 2014

Sport: First locally-based player selected for Niue rugby league team

11:25 am on 23 September 2014

The Niue rugby league team will include a locally-based player for the first time in next weekend's test match against the Philippines in Sydney.

The Pacific nation made their international debut against Vanuatu a year ago and have developed a relationship with the Philippines after both countries competed at the Cabramatta Nines.

The bulk of players selected are based in Australia and New Zealand but head coach Brendan Perenara says they've also been able to selected a locally based player for the first time.

"Some guys are from Newcastle, some guys are from Brisbane, some guys are coming from Melbourne and also New Zealand, and we've got one coming from Niue, the Rock, Huggard Tongatule, so he's the first one coming from Niue itself. The sports minister back at home in Niue is backing us and they've also registered us in the South Pacific Games for July next year".

Brendan Perenara says the team will go into camp next Tuesday.