Dates and venues for Great Britain rugby league tour 2019

At the recent meeting of the Rugby League International Federation a four-match tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea was confirmed for the Great Britain Rugby League Lions.

Matches will take place in Hamilton, Auckland, Christchurch and Port Moresby, with the full schedule detailed below including double and triple-header international occasions that also feature Australia, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.

It will be the first time Great Britain have played since the home series against New Zealand in the autumn of 2007, and their first appearance in the southern hemisphere since the 2006 Tri-Series – reviving a tradition which dates back to 1910, when the first touring team after the 1895 Northern Union breakaway were known as the Lions.

PICTURES FROM GB SERIES WIN AGAINST KIWIS IN 2007

Paul Wellens, Martin Gleeson, Ade Gardner, Jon Clarke, James Roby, Stuart Fielden and James Graham lead the celebrations

Paul Sculthorpe

Martin Gleeson

Adrian Morley lifts the victory shield

Paul Wellens

Adrian Morley

Sean Long

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In addition to two Tests against the Kiwis and one against the Kumuls – the latter a first in Papua New Guinea since 1996 – Great Britain will play their first ever Test against the Tonga team who made such an impact in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, including in a stirring semi final against England in Auckland.

Wayne Bennett, who has been the England coach since 2016, will be the head coach of the 2019 Rugby League Lions, with further details of his support staff, the composition of the squad and the selection process, the kit design, and kick-off times and travel packages for the tour to follow in coming weeks.

Kevin Sinfield believes the return of Great Britain will widen the player pool available to Bennett but insists there will be no token picks for the tour.

"It's fantastic news," said Sinfield, the RFL's rugby director. "It's a shame we're not going to Australia but it is what it is. It's taken a lot of work by a lot of people in pulling this together.

"I think there is a real appetite for this team to come back. There's a lot of history and heritage, there's some very famous players who have done that shirt justice."

Sinfield insists players of all home nations will be considered, including recent recruits to Super League who qualify through grandparents.

They include Blake Austin (Warrington), Jackson Hastings (Salford), Trent Merrin (Leeds) and Lachlan Coote (St Helens), who has previously represented Scotland.

"I think people just want to be involved in a Great Britain tour and we'll consider anybody and everybody who qualifies," said Sinfield, who won 14 caps for Great Britain from 2001 before going on to captain England.

"It increases the number of players that have the opportunity to wear that jersey.

"What I can say is that we will not devalue that shirt or take someone as a token pick.

"I don't think that's fair to the players who have played in it in the past and actually does someone want to go as a token pick? I'm sure they don't."

Bennett added: “It’s an honour to be involved in the revival of the Great Britain team as head coach.

“I’ve coached against them in the past with Australia, and wherever you’re from in the world of Rugby League, that Great Britain jersey is a famous one – and I’m sure the current generation of players will be excited by the prospect of wearing it and representing their country in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

“It’s an exciting prospect for international Rugby League, and good to have that Great Britain tradition back.”

Ralph Rimmer, the chief executive of the Rugby Football League, said: “The return of the famous Great Britain jersey is something people have been talking about for a long time – so this is an exciting announcement for us.

“It’s 12 years since Great Britain last played a Test, and 13 since they last travelled to the southern hemisphere, for the Tri-Nations series of 2006.

“While the development of the England Performance Unit has been a priority and a success for the RFL, across Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Rugby League – and will continue to be as we build towards the 2021 Rugby League World Cup - there is such history and tradition around that Great Britain shirt.

“It’s great for the game to have it back, as part of the schedule drawn up by the RLIF also including the Oceania Cup. We’ll be committed to respecting and honouring that tradition as we build up to the tour through 2019.”

The announcement has also been welcomed by senior figures from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Barry Coade, Chairman of Rugby League Ireland, said: “We are delighted that Great Britain & Ireland will tour again this Autumn. The tour looks like a real challenge given the rise of the Pacific nations and we think this is a big step forward for international Rugby League.”

Keith Hogg, the Chair of Scotland Rugby League, said: “Having the Great Britain team back is a boost for all of the home nations. We are proud of the contribution made by Scots to Great Britain Rugby League in the past, most obviously when Dave Valentine lifted the World Cup in 1954, and this announcement is a great incentive for young Scottish players to maintain that tradition in the future.”

Paul Chambers, General Manager of Wales Rugby League, said: “Wales Rugby League fully embrace and support the first Great Britain Rugby League tour to the Southern Hemisphere for many years. The whole concept of the Rugby League Lions adds another dimension to the ambitions of players and staff involved with all Home Nations and Wales Rugby League are looking forward to promoting and being involved in the process.”

GB schedule 2019:

26 October:

GB RL Lions v Tonga, Hamiliton

2 November:

GB RL Lions v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland

Samoa v Fiji, Eden Park, Auckland

Australia v Tonga, Eden Park, Auckland

9 November:

New Zealand v GB RL Lions, Christchurch

Papua New Guinea v Fiji, Christchurch

16 November:

Papua New Guinea v GB RL Lions, Port Moresby

PNG Orchids v Pacific All Stars, Port Moresby