The Vanuatu South-Sea Invitational team battled to a 28-14 defeat against the Central Capras in the opening match of their Australian tour in Rockhampton at the weekend.
Vanuatu-South Sea opened the scoring in the 18th minute through a try to Jayden VeaVea and trailed 12-10 at halftime.
Front rower Herbie Henderson put the visitors back in-front 14-12 early in the second spell, before the home team came back with three unanswered tries in the 54th, 57th and 59th minutes to take the match.
Captain James Wood says they matched it with the Capras for the majority of the match and, considering the team hasn't been together a week and that some players are only in their first few games of Rugby League, the result was very encouraging.
He says all the local based Vanuatu players in the squad are only going to get better and better as they get more experience and continue to learn.
