Emerging Nations world Championship

It will be Vanuatu's first game since a test against Solomon Islands last October.

Harbin said the smaller nations normally didn't get a lot of opportunities to play at the international level.

"It's a pleasant opportunity to see how far we have come," he said.

"We have only been able to play one test a year and this is a great opportunity for not just us, Vanuatu, but all the countries to see how far they are developing and see what else they have to work on and keep developing as minnow nations in rugby league so I reckon it's a great concept. "

The Melanesian country have been drawn to play Hungary and Greece in Pool B and are one of a record eleven nations from Europe, Asia and the Pacific competing in the tournament.

"It's going to be a very tough pool but we're really looking forward to it though," said head coach Lionel Harbin.

"I think it's a great concept - this Emerging Nations World Cup gives these countries an opportunity to showcase rugby league and how far we've come in a short period of time so we're really looking for to it."

Vanuatu, along with Niue, is one of ten teams tentatively scheduled to take part in the November 2018 event in Western Sydney.

Vanuatu manager and board member Ben Howard said the event would continue the slow but steady growth of popularity the sport was experiencing in the country.

Howard said the guarantee of international competition is fantastic.

"Obviously being in the Pacific where costs are quite high in terms of travel only enables us to play one or maybe two test matches a year," he said.