Souths to play Papua New Guinea in 2013 Redfern trial

by NRL

South Sydney have confirmed that their opponents in the 2013 Return to Redfern pre-season match will be the Papua New Guinea Kumuls on Saturday 9 February at Redfern at 6pm.

The Return to Redfern match against the Kumuls will be the Rabbitohs' first pre-season match for the 2013 season.

The Kumuls, who will take on the Australian Prime Minister's XIII in their end of season clash in September, will come to Sydney in February to take on the Rabbitohs in what promises to be a day of fun at the footy for Rabbitohs Members and supporters.

Papua New Guinea is currently ranked fourth in the world according to the RLIF rankings behind Australia, New Zealand and England, and has already qualified for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup to be played in England and Wales.

The Rabbitohs will be looking to build a fun, family event at this game, as was the case in January when the Rabbitohs took on English Super Club, the Warrington Wolves, in the Return to Redfern 2012 game.

"The Kumuls will be a tough opponent, but they will also bring a fantastic international atmosphere to this game which has become a regular feature of our pre-season planning," Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said.

"Earlier this year we played the Warrington Wolves and the atmosphere at the ground was sensational. It was a sell out of 5,000 people and our Members tell us that they really look forward to this game each year, getting back to watching a game at our traditional home.

"We had two sets of international Members and fans come together to support their Clubs and the game, and it was a fun day out for Rugby League lovers early in the year when we're all craving some footy action.

"We've worked closely with Tas Baitieri from the Rugby League International Federation to pull all of the details together for this game, and look forward to revealing more aspects of this game to our Members and supporters over the coming months."

Rabbitohs Members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets to this game when Membership goes on sale in September.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs enjoy one of the richest histories in the sport of Rugby League. Established in 1908, South Sydney has won 20 first grade premierships, more than any other, and has provided a record 64 internationals for the Australian Kangaroo squad. Fiercely loyal to its origins, the Club has consistently worn the cardinal red and myrtle green colours since its inception, a lasting tribute to the rabbit vendors who first played for the Club in the inner suburbs of Sydney.

The rebirth of the Rabbitohs began on 7 June 2006 through a new partnership between Russell Crowe, Peter Holmes a Court and the Members of the Club. The Club's Ticketed Membership now stands at over 12,000, with total Memberships in excess of 20,000 in 2011, the highest for any Sydney club. As a tribute to the Club's unchanging and significant legacy, the National Trust of Australia has awarded the Rabbitohs the prestigious status of National Community Icon, the first such award to any sporting organisation in Australia.

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