Lloyd Robson Oval

Lloyd Robson Oval is a sporting ground in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It hosted 3 games for the 1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup. It has been the home ground for the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team since 1975. It has a total capacity of just over 12,000 people and is the National Stadium of Papua New Guinea.

History

Lloyd Robson Oval hosted its first Rugby League international on 6 July 1975 when PNG played host to England who were on their way to Australia and New Zealand for the down under leg of the 1975 World Cup. In front of an enthusiastic crowd of 12,000 England ran out 40-12 winners in what was the Kumuls international debut game.

PNG played the 1982 and 1986 Kangaroos at the oval. The Australians, unbeaten on both Kangaroo Tours, won both games 38-2 and 62-12 respectively.

Lloyd Robson Oval was the primary venue of the 2009 Pacific Cup. The four round-robin matches were played at the ground on 24-25 October and 31 October, with the final played on 1 November 2009.^[1]

The oval is also home of the Gulf Isapea, Hela Wigmen, and Port Moresby Bulldogs who play in the PNGNRL Digitel Cup.

Lloyd Robson also hosts an annual game between the Kumuls and an Australian Prime Minister's XIII at the conclusion of the Australian based National Rugby League season.

Soccer is also played at the Lloyd Robson Oval, with both the national men's and women's PNG teams playing matches at the ground, though they both generally use the Hubert Murray Stadium

References