WARRINGTON will learn next Tuesday (July 21) which three fixtures it will be hosting as part of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021).
The announcement, which will be led by RLWC2021 on Tuesday 21 July at 8am, will confirm which of the tournament’s games will be played out at the Halliwell Jones stadium.
As part of next year’s tournament, which will begin on 23 October, Warrington will be hosting the Papua New Guinea (PNG) men’s team. The Pacific Islanders are currently ranked sixth in the world, and reached the quarter-finals in the last Rugby League World Cup. PNG, also known as ‘The Kumuls’ – the birds of paradise – should not be underestimated and are being tipped as one of the tournament’s dark horses, after they dismantled the Great Britain RL Lions in late 2019.
Any of the competing men’s teams in the tournament could have the chance to play in Warrington.
Council Chief Executive, Professor Steven Broomhead – who was part of the RLWC2021 bid group for Warrington and is also vice chair of Warrington Wolves, said: “I’m looking forward to finding out what three fixtures we’ll have the opportunity to watch in Warrington. I’m crossing my fingers for games that were as competitive and spirited as the fixtures we witnessed in 2013.
“Any fixtures we get to host as part of RLWC2021 will be an honour as we play our part on the world stage, and I’m hopeful that whatever games we get, that we’ll see a packed-out Halliwell Jones stadium that will be sure to witness some world-class games.
“The closer we get to the tournament, the more palpable the excitement in and around Warrington. The announcement of what games we’ll be getting is the next milestone for our town’s journey to the tournament. Bring it on!”
For more information about Warrington’s part in the tournament, visit warrington.gov.uk/rlwc2021
