PNG Facts - Sports News

BIG hits, bone crunching tackles and may be even a punch or two will be part of an epic end to the Digicel Cup rugby league season on Sunday.
The Goroka Lahanis are hell-bent on putting a cruel end to the fairy-tale run of the resurgent Port Moresby Vipers, who make their first final in 19 years.
Both sides, sprinkled with the cream of talent in the country, will be fighting for potential Kumul spots in an expected whirlwind finish to the premier semi-professional competition.
The Lahanis, winners 22-20 and 24-20 this year against the Vipers, have been the most consistent team this season and have been rewarded with the minor premiership.
But the Vipers are not the team of early rounds and pose a far more lethal challenge as on both occasions the city slickers led only to be overhauled in the last quarter.
Vipers coach Leonard Tarum yesterday said the Lahanis were a very physical team and their forwards matched that with their aggression.
“We have a point to prove and I’m confident we can square it up this time as we have been working hard on those weaker areas to be consistent for the full 80 minutes,” he said.
Lahanis coach Michael Moses said they had been written off at the start of the season and that was what was on the back of the minds of the players and it was enough to ensure they prove a point on Sunday.
“We have come this far and certainly we are not going home empty handed,” he said.
“I guess the team that works off their game plan better and cuts down on errors will win … tru ave mipela kam ya,” Moses said.
The Lahanis will be looking to nippy halves Robin Soga and Noel Zeming to create plays for their powerful pack.

Twenty two year old Penrith Panthers hooker James Segeyaro has been named in the Kumul Gold team to take on the Kumul Red team in Port Moresby on Sunday September 22.
Paul Aiton from Wakefield Trinity in the England Super League is the other notable overseas player to be named in Kumul Reds side.
David Mead, Tyson Martin, Nene MacDonald, Ray Thompson, Jason Chan, Neville Costigan, Menzie Yere, Rhys Martin and Mark Mexico were not included in either team due to their non availability.
PNG Rugby Football League chairman Don Fox revealed this yesterday when announcing the teams for the trial match in 11 days.
“The two teams are made up of local and overseas players, who are available, but does not include a number of players still taking part in finals or recovering from injuries,” Fox said.
“They will also be considered for selection for the upcoming PMX111 match and the final squad for the World Cup”.
He said those players who won’t take part in the trial match will still be considered for selection in the final World Cup Squad.
Head Coach Adrian Lam was excited about the trial. “Momentum is building up,” Lam said.
I watched the last two finals games in Port Moresby and a lot of the boys are in great form and it’s obvious the lessons from the camps have been learnt and taken on board.
“I am genuinely excited about the options we have all over the park and the strength and depth in the players available. It is going to make final selection extremely difficult and some great players are going to miss out but we can only select 22. It’s a great position to be in as a coach,” Lam said.
2013 Digicel Cup winners Port Moresby Vipers have 10 players named.
Team Kumul RED is: 1. Adex Wera 2. Gary Loh 3. Francis Paniu 4. Willie Minoga 5. George Benson 6. Roger Laka 7. Noel Zemming 8. Esau Siune 9. Wartovo Paura Jr 10. Petero Sunivalu 11. Sebastian Pandia 12. Larsen Marabe 13. Paul Aiton 14. Lawrence Tu’u 15. Elijah Riyong 16. Bernard Tatsim 17. Adam Korave
Team Kumul GOLD is: 1.Josiah Abavu 2. Thompson Teteh 3. Jason Tali 4. Israel Eliab 5. Tiger Emery 6. Jessie-Joe Nandye 7. Ase Boas 8. Joe Bruno 9. Charlie Wabo 10. Enoch Maki 11. Richard Kambo 12. Dion Aiye 13. David Loko 14. Mogi Wei 15. Wellington Albert 16, James Segeyaro 17. Gonzela Urakusie
Tickets for the match are: Outer stands Adult @ K20, outer stand child @ K10, Main Grandstand adult @ K100 Main Grandstand Child @ K50 and will be sold from 9am on game day at Lloyd Robson.
Team manager Mathew Natusch revealed last night that Michael Marum will be coach of the Gold side while Nigel Hukula takes charge of the Reds.
“Both are Team Kumul assistant coaches so this will allow Mal and Adrian to sit back and assess all players including the two coaches. Michael and Nigel have been working with Mal and Adrian for a while now and they know the plans in place and what is expected of the players,” Natusch said.
He said the teams assemble in Port Moresby next Wednesday (September 19) and will go into separate camps the following day to prepare for this showdown.
The PM X111 side will be named after the trial match on Sunday September 22 to take on the Australian PM X111 in Kokopo a week later.

Post Courier

PNGRFL SIDES ANNOUNCED FOR TEAM KUMUL TRIAL

PNGRFL Chairman Don Fox today announced the Team Kumul Red and Gold teams who will take on each other in a trial match on Sunday 22nd September 2013 at Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby.
The two teams are made up of local and overseas players, who are available, but does not include a number of players still taking part in finals or recovering from injuries who will also be considered for selection for the upcoming PM13 match and the final squad for the World Cup.
Fox said there was significant competition for final places in the World Cup Squad and the trial will give coach Adrian Lam and Mal Meninga the opportunity to see the players in action against each other;
“We definitely have more depth to select from this year and it’s a great position to be in. Mal and Adrian and the Team Kumul staff have one a great job in getting the PNG based players up to speed with what is required of them and there are a number of them pushing hard for selection. The players who cant take part in the trial are obviously still considered for selection in the final World Cup Squad and I have no doubt we will have a very strong side.”
Fox also thanked the PNGRFL National Selectors for their contribution;
“The National Selectors in Arnold Krewanty, Samson Clayton Well and Steve Malum have done a fantastic job in attending matches around the nation this year and checking on the progress of the locally based and overseas players and reporting regularly back to Mal and Adrian. I would like to pay special tribute to Chairman of selectors David Tienamu who was also doing a magnificent job up until his hospitalisation. We hope he recovers fully and the remaining selectors will do the job until he is fit.”
Team Kumul Head Coach Adrian lam was excited about the Trial;
“Momentum is really building. I watched the last two finals games in Port Moresby and a lot of the boys are in great form and it’s obvious the lessons from the camps have been learnt and taken on board. I am genuinely excited about the options we have all over the park and the strength and depth in the players available. It is going to make final selection extremely difficult and some great players are going to miss out but we can only select 22. It’s a great position to be in as a coach.”
Team Kumul Red vs Team Kumul Gold Game:

Team Kumul RED
1. Adex Wera
2. Gary Loh
3. Francis Paniu
4. Willie Minoga
5. George Benson
6. Roger Laka
7. Noel Zemming
8. Esau Siune
9. Wartovo Paura Jr
10. Petero Sunivalu
11. Sebastian Pandia
12. Larsen Marabe
13. Paul Aiton
14. Lawrence Tu’u
15. Elijah Riyong
16. Bernard Tatsim
17. Adam Korave

Team Kumul GOLD
1. Josiah Abavu
2. Thompson Teteh
3. Jason Tali
4. Israel Eliab
5. Tiger Emery
6. Jessie-Joe Nandye
7. Ase Boas
8. Joe Bruno
9. Charlie Wabo
10. Enoch Maki
11. Richard Kambo
12. Dion Aiye
13. David Loko
14. Mogi Wei
15. Wellington Albert
16. James Segeyaro
17. Gonzela Urakusie

Players unavailable:
David Mead
Tyson Martin
Nene Macdonald
Ray Thompson
Jason Chan
Neville Costigan
Menze Yere
Rhys Martin
Mark Mexico

Tickets for the match will be sold from 9am on game day at Lloyd Robson Oval Sunday 22nd September with prices set at:
Outer stands Adult @ K20 Outer Stand Child @ K10
Main Grandstand Adult @ K100 Main Grandstand Child @ K50

The Australian Rugby League Commission has today named 18 players in the Holden Kangaroos’ World Cup train-on squad.

Players from the train-on squad will also be selected to represent the Prime Minister’s XIII team to play Papua New Guinea in Kokopo on Sunday, September 29.

The Holden Kangaroos / Prime Minister’s XIII train-on squad is:

Holden Kangaroos and PMXIII Train-On

Matt Gillett

Brisbane Broncos

Corey Parker

Brisbane Broncos

Ben Hannant

Brisbane Broncos

Sam Thaiday

Brisbane Broncos

Brett Morris

St George Illawarra Dragons

Jarryd Hayne

Parramatta Eels

David Shillington

Canberra Raiders

Josh Papalii

Canberra Raiders

Jarrod Croker

Canberra Raiders

Josh McCrone

Canberra Raiders

Robbie Farah

Wests Tigers

David Taylor

Gold Coast Titans

Ryan James

Gold Coast Titans

Kevin Gordon

Gold Coast Titans

Aidan Sezer

Gold Coast Titans

Albert Kelly

Gold Coast Titans

Greg Bird

Gold Coast Titans

Nate Myles

Gold Coast Titans

The Prime Minister’s XIII will be announced next Monday, September 16.

Selected players will attend a medical in Sydney on Thursday, September 19, before assembling in Cairns on Thursday, September 26.

Holden Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens will accompany the Laurie Daley-coached PMs XIII to Papua New Guinea with the match viewed as an important selection trial for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

The players selected today are from clubs not competing in the Telstra Premiership Finals Series with additional players to be named when clubs are eliminated from the Finals.

AAP

KUMUL great Stanley Gene has been appointed as the new head coach of Championship 1 side Gateshead Thunder.
Gene, 39, a former Papua New Guinea international, has been on the coaching staff of Hull KR, coaching their Under-19 academy squad.

“I am delighted to join Gateshead Thunder. I have been increasingly impressed with the lads and what Kevin Neighbour (former head coach) has achieved,” Gene said.

“My ambition is to take the club to the next level and to continue the hard work that has been put in here already. I’ll be up in the North East soon, and look forward to meeting the fans and sponsors.”
Gene succeeds Neighbour in the role, after his departure at the end of the season.

Neighbour led Thunder to a seventh place finish, with four wins and six bonus point defeats in the 16-game campaign.

Thunder managing director Keith Christie said: “Myself and the Gateshead Thunder Board are delighted to have Stan on board.

“My ambition is to take the club to the next level and to continue the hard work that has been put in here already.

“He will inherit a squad of lads that have been moulded into a team by Kevin Neighbour, and our hope is that he can take us further.”

NATIONAL Zone players will be considered for places in the Papua New Guinea Rugby League Foundation’s train-on squad for the Queensland Cup next year.
PNGRLF chief executive officer Brad Tassell said the national zone championship, that begins in Lae today, provided talented players outside of the Digicel Cup a realistic pathway to representative honours.
“We’ll be looking at identifying players from this national zone championship for our Queensland Cup train-on squad,” Tassell said from Lae yesterday.
“We’ll know later this month if we are in the Q Cup and we’ll go from there.”
Tassell said the zone championship was revived this year at the behest of leagues around the country because it gave players from the wider league community access to high level football and a chance to press for representative honours.
“From our meetings with leagues around the country, they all wanted a return of the zone challenge because it was one of the few chances their players had of playing representative matches.”
Tassell said zone players would also be considered for the Team Kumuls programme next year as the PNG Rugby Football League-sponsored annual championship established itself as the premier national competition.
“Players we identify will eventually be included in the Team Kumuls programme for next year,” Tassell said.
“Unfortunately, it won’t be possible to incorporate them into the Team Kumuls programme now with it being a World Cup year but we will look to have zone players involved in camps next year. Adrian (Lam) is supportive of this plan. We’ll have a representative zone side picked and in the future this team will play an emerging Kumuls team as part of the national development programme that we are working on having in place,” Tassell said.

OVERSEAS-based World Cup hopefuls Paul Aiton and James Segeyaro arrive today for the Kumul Red and Kumul Gold trial match at Lloyd Robson Oval on Sunday.
Super League’s Aiton of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats has represented the Kumuls from 2004-2010.
Penrith Panther Segeyaro wants to follow his five-eighth father, Ifisoe, who played for the Kumuls twice in 1982-83.
Kumul coach Adrian Lam has said with the greater depth of players, World Cup selection would be extremely difficult.
The trial match on Sunday will see the cream of talent from the Digicel Cup fight overseas-based players for the trip to the United Kingdom next month.
The 14th Rugby League World Cup will be played in England and Wales from Oct 26 to Nov 30
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) interim chief executive officer Brad Tassell said yesterday the duo are the only two overseas-based players including Jessie Joe Nandye, who is already in Port Moresby, that will play.
“David Mead (Gold Coast Titans) and Ray Thompson (North Queensland Cowboys) are injured but may still be considered in the coming weeks by national selectors,” Tassell added.
“The other players still have club commitments,” Tassell added.
The other overseas players also on the Kumuls watch list are Tyson Martin, Nene MacDonald, Jason Chan, Neville Costigan, Menzie Yere, Rhys Martin and Mark Mexico.
The Digicel Cup players will also start their respective training with the Kumul Red and Gold teams today.
National selectors Arnold Krewanty, Samson Clayton and Steve Malum will select a team to play the visiting Australian Prime Ministers XIII the following Sunday in Kokopo.
From this match a final 22 players will be named for the World Cup.

The National

IT’S make or break time for 32 Papua New Guinea Kumuls hopefuls.
With several spots more than likely to be taken up by class acts from either Australia’s National Rugby League or the English Super League, the ratio of local talent has shortened.
This has set the stage for a fierce contest amongst the Digicel Cup hopefuls who at best would be looking to clamp down on at least 17 of the 22 seats available for this year’s World Cup.
The Digicel Cup players will dominate selection.
The players will answer that question in expected “all out battle” to gain the selectors nod.
Kumul coach Adrian Lam is hoping that players feel compelled to go beyond themselves to show cause.
The trial set for this Sunday between PNG Gold and PNG Red will separate the men from the boys.
Yesterday both teams entered their respective camps, minus international-based James Segeyaro and Paul Aiton.
Team Kumul general manager Mathew Natusch yesterday confirmed that both have niggling injuries and will not be flying in to play.
Apart from Jessie Joe Nandye who returned three games short of completing his English stint, the rest are PNG based players.
Kumul coach Adrian Lam reiterated that national selectors have done a great job and the dominance of local based players does indicate the players have advanced to a higher stage since the Kumul Camp concept began in April.
Lam did however say that despite the absence of international based players due to club commitments or minor injuries, they will be still taken into consideration for the Prime Minister’s XIII match against Australia next week in Kokopo, East New Britain.
“In saying that the Digicel Cup players have come of age and at this stage the opportunity is there for the taking for players to prove themselves worthy over the next two weeks,” he said.
“The players will train together as a group in camp until Friday and then separate under their respective coaches, Michael Marum for PNG Gold and Nigel Hukula for PNG Red,” Lam confirmed.
He said Team Kumul coaching director Mal Meninga will join the camp on Friday.
He told the players that this is the time to show your wares and hinted that he wouldn’t mind if there was a bit of animosity in both camps.

The National

Media Niugini Limited, through EMTV, has won the exclusive rights to broadcast the 2013 and 2017 Rugby League World Cups.

The rights also include the 2014 and 2016 Four Nations contests.
England and Wales will play host to this year’s 14th Rugby League World Cup challenge since its inception in 1954.

EMTV will begin broadcasting matches between 14 nations, including Papua New Guinea, from the 26th of October, to the 30th of November.

Chief Executive Officer of EMTV and Media Niugini Limited, Bhanu Sud, said winning the broadcast rights for the next two Rugby League World Cups, and the next 2 Four Nations Cup, is an indication of EMTV’s commitment to quality television broadcasting while giving viewers the game they love to watch.

Rugby League, as a sport, has strong, passionate roots in PNG, and recent developments in the code are all aimed at lifting the standard domestically.

EMTV CEO Mr Sud also added that it is the right time for a commitment such as this, which will bring PNG’s favorite sport, at the world level, to its viewers.

This year’s Rugby League World Cup will see PNG in one of four groups made up of the top rugby league-playing nations of the world.

PNG is placed in group B alongside defending World Champions New Zealand, France and Samoa.

GROUP A: consists of heavyweights, Australia, England, Fiji and Ireland

While in GROUP C: Scotland will battle against Tonga and Italy and in GROUP D, Wales, Cook Islands, USA are sure to put up a fair contest.

All 28 matches of the World Cup will be played at 21 venues in England, Wales, France and Ireland.

The Four Nations features four of the strongest international sides in the game.

Borne out of the tri-nations tournament in 2009, the Four Nations is a stern test for some of rugby league’s finest players.

The Four Nations features teams from Australia, New Zealand and England.

The fourth team will be the Pacific Cup Champions in 2014 and the European Champions in 2016.

EMTV

PENRITH Panthers hooker James Segeyaro and English Super League’s Paul Aiton were yesterday in doubt for Sunday’s Kumuls Red and Gold trial in Port Moresby.
Kumuls manager Matt Natusch was still unsure whether the duo would be available for this crucial match, citing injury rehabilitation concerns, among other reasons.
He said Aiton, was “ready to go” but he did not know whether his club’s medical team would clear him.
Segeyaro has been playing some classy football as hooker.
The son of former Kumuls five-eighth Iffysoe, James has been used off the bench with captain Kevin Kingston, getting the starts.
Newcastle Knight Neville Costigan, with Jason Chan and Menzie Yere in England are among those exempted from the Kokopo match.
Those injured like Cowboy Ray Thompson and Titan David Mead are being monitored on whether they can be fit by the World Cup.
So what better match for a solid Kumuls hit-out than against Australia, boasting an abundance in playing stocks.
Kumuls coach Adrian Lam want his players tested against such a high class opponents.
Sunday’s match, a selection trial for Kokopo, is so hard to call – whether it will have a similar intensity, even if it’s some grades lower – as an Australian State of Origin battle.
For homegrown Digicel Cup players, the absence of overseas players doubles their chances of selection.
Players from the Red and Gold teams have been training together since Wednesday but move into separate groups today.
But how do you get them to ‘hate’ their opponents enough to smash them on Sunday to gain one of the limited Kumuls spots.
Even a well-paid sports psychologists would be scratching their heads for the appropriate solutions to motivate players into ‘hate’ mode to get that kind of atmosphere.

The National

PAPUA New Guinea Gold looks to be the blueprint of what national selectors are looking for to play in Sunday week’s challenge against the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII.
That is fuelling the prospect of a no retreat grand final-like contest among the crème de la crème of rugby league talent when PNG Gold takes on PNG Red on Sunday.
All the players know selection into the Prime Minister’s XIII will put them on the front foot for possible selection in the Kumuls to the World Cup.
PNG Gold play PNG Red at Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby on Sunday, with kick-off set for 3pm.
PNG Gold has the vast experience of top tip for likely Kumul five-eighth Jessie Joe Nandye playing outside stylish Gurias halfback Ase Boas and Charlie Wabo, the obvious back-up to James Segeyaro at dummy-half.
When you add the Digicel Cup power-punchers in Enoch Maki, David Loko, Joe Bruno, Gonzela Urakusie, Richard Kambo and Mogi Wei Jr to the fray, it will take a special effort to win by the PNG Red side that is filtered with newcomers.
The significance of Vipers skipper Larsen Marape and his Vipers engine room combatants in Sebastian Pandia and Adam Korave, Tigers prop Petero Sanivalu, Lahanis try sniffer Bernard Tatsim Jr and firebrand Isapea rake Lawrence Tu’u for PNG Red looks like the perfect recipe for the ‘blow-out’ that Kumul coach Adrian Lam wants to see.
PNG Red coach Nigel Hukula yesterday said they were underdogs against an outfit that was sprinkled with seasoned Kumuls but hinted that if he could motivate the players individually to ensure they did the little things right they would be competitive.
Hukula said Enga Mioks playmaker Roger Laka and Marape would play leading roles.
While the Gold backs fit the bill in terms of size, and speed to play at the international level, Richard Kambo, Jason Tali, Thompson Teteh and Wellington Albert will come under extreme pressure from potential Kumul bolters in Gary Lo, Adex Wera, Francis Paniu and the human missile, George Benson.
Lam said during the week he would not mind if there was feeling from players in both camps to show who really wanted to put his body on the line for a Kumul jumper.

The NATIONAL

Local players in Papua New Guinea get another chance to press their claims for a place in the Kumuls Rugby League World Cup squad this afternoon in a trial game in Port Moresby.

The Kumul Red and Gold teams are made up entirely of locally-based players, from which the national selectors will pick the bulk of their squad for next weekend’s clash with the Australian Prime Minister’s 13.

The Interim CEO of the Papua New Guinea Rugby League Federation, Brad Tassell, says there is plenty of talent on the domestic scene and tomorrow’s match is a big opportunity.

“There’s a lot of spots still open right across the paddock and there’s a lot of players that are pushing for those spots so the depth I would say in Papua New Guinea Rugby League right now is probably the best that it’s been for the last ten or fifteen years. Some of the players that are up here - because they’re young, they’ve got the right attitude, they’ve been taught the right things - we believe that they wouldn’t look out of place in a Queensland Cup or an NRL programme overseas. I think a lot of people will be surprised by the talent and just how well prepared the Team Kumul players will be and the squad for the World Cup.”Brad Tassell says as many as 12-14 local players could be selected in the final 24-man World Cup squad.

RNZI

WILL the Papua New Guinea Kumul national selectors overlook the fighting performance by PNG Red?
That question will would have thrown a spanner in the works after the second-string outfit beat the more favoured PNG Gold 18-0 at the Lloyd Robson Oval yesterday.
The PNG Gold team comprising what Kumul coach Adrian Lam would have been looking to work with next week faltered on examination day or in this case the only official Kumul trial match.
Will selectors look at who dug deep to perform in the trial or go for the committed who have been consistent throughout the four camps since April.
Certainly PNG Red half-back Roger Laka threw caution to the wind with his five-star performance against the favoured Ase Boas.
Likewise was the three-try effort by stylish finisher Francis Paniu, who despite not playing on his favoured left centre, grabbed every opportunity that presented itself down the right flank.
As did dynamic winger George Benson who may not get a look in due to his height but was certainly shouting for recognition on the left wing.
While in the forwards PNG Red prop Esau Siune and backrowers Larsen Marape, Paul Aiton, Sebastian Pandia and Adam Korave shone with their work-rate on defence and in attack.
If the team was picked on yesterday’s performance, fullback Josiah Abavu picked himself, 191cm three-quarter Wellington Albert and his polar opposite Benson were a sure things on the wings, Paniu should grab left centre, to maintain Jessie Joe Nandye experience on the right and utility Israel Eliab the number six jersey where he looks more at home at.
Laka nailed the half back slot, while Siune and Enoch Maki were the only props making ground and hooker Charlie Wabo was ahead of the other contenders.
In the backrow, ball-playing David Loko and Marape looked the best and Aiton’s experience should have him at lock.
Kumul coach Adrian Lam after the match said the team that won made less mistakes and defended better.
“The conditions were poor and there were a lot of mistakes and players were not able to fully express themselves,” he said.
When asked about the uplifting performance of the PNG Red side, Lam agreed that it may pose a dilemma for national selectors but reiterated that it was a long selection process that included the four camps which would be taken into consideration as well.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is expected to make the announcement of the Prime Minister’s XIII team today to play the Australian Prime Ministers XIII who were named last week. The match will be at Kalabond Oval in Kokopo on Sunday.
PNG Red 18 (Francis Paniu 3, Willie Minoga tries; Paniu con) PNG Gold 0. Match played in quarters.

The National / My Pacific

FORMER Canberra Raiders and 2000 World Cup PNG Kumul Mark Mom has been appointed to lead the much anticipated National Rugby League School Programme.
The programme is expected to deliver rugby league training, technical assistance and mentoring in 80 schools across the country.
The former Kumul captain who was employed as the programme’s in-country general manager in August believes that the initiative offers endless opportunities for NRL and PNG alike.
“I’m passionate about educating our kids and there is no better way of doing this than through our nation’s most popular sport, rugby league” Mom said.
The man from Gulf and Madang had a successful league career as a player, coach and administrator followed by a career in construction.
Mom, 39, had stints with the Canberra Raiders and Easts Tigers in the Queensland Cup in the 1990s.
He represented PNG from 1994- 2003 and was part of the 2000 World Cup campaign in England and France and captained the side in 2001.
Since retirement he has continued to stay and involved with rugby league coaching in the PNGNRL and was an assistant to current Kumuls coach Adrian Lam in the 2008 World Cup campaign in Australia.
“It’s ambitious, but we are hoping to reach 80 schools, 50,000 students and train 500 teachers in three years,” Mom said.
“It’s a big job and it has been tremendously exciting trying it out in our first school in Port Moresby.”
The programme started last Thursday at Waigani Primary School in Port Moresby and works individually with students both on and off the field with literacy modules strongly emphasised.
Acting Education Minister James Marape said that the programme was a welcomed step forward.
“We are pleased to partner with NRL to improve the quality of education for boys and girls of all abilities in PNG through rugby league activities and also increase the capacity of our teachers,” Marape said.
“I would like to thank the Australian Government and the NRL for bringing this fantastic programme to our Kids.”
Mom said the three-year programme is funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID) and managed through a partnership between Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the NRL.
Former Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pledge funding of A$4 million (K9.4) and Julia Gillard launched it in June at Wagani Primary School.
He said the NRL is partnering with the Department of Education to deliver the programme with support from a range of stakeholders including PNG Rugby Football League and the University of PNG.

The National

An International Disciplinary Tribunal has tonight cleared Paul Aiton to play in Papua New Guinea’s Rugby League World Cup Group B game against Samoa at Craven Park, Hull, on Monday November 4.

Aiton successfully appealed the one-match suspension handed down by an International Match Review Panel for a careless high tackle on Morgan Escare of France in a fixture on Sunday October 27.

The Tribunal lifted the suspension but imposed a formal caution, which will remain on the player’s disciplinary record for the duration of the tournament.

We’re hurting. The game on Sunday was heart wrenching, heart breaking but chock full of heart. The dressing room afterwards was so downhearted; it was so hard to come with the right words to soften the pain of a narrow loss.
Those of us involved here in England were full of praise of the Team’s effort as you all should be back home. The best defensive effort by a PNG National side, no line breaks against us, very good control of the ball with a 74% completion rate. In my experience these statistics usually adds up to a victory but the French performance was just as respectable.
I agree with commentary that we can play better with the ball. Make smarter decisions in attack. Take opportunities when they arise. That’s what the very best teams do. But can we blame it on one goal kick...No! Great rugby league teams win games through strong organized defense and clever attacking options. Working hard for each other with commitment, attitude and passion.
France has been playing in the English Super League since 2000. Playing in a quality competition week in and week out you learn how to hang on. You know what it takes to win. We will improve and I can promise by the time the next world cup is upon us Team Kumul will be winning these close games. This experience in this World Cup of Rugby League is providing the building blocks for many years to come.
Hard Lessons I know but we move forward. Dust ourselves off and stay positive and believe in what we are doing. We can’t question the Team’s character to do well. Our goal next game against Samoa is the same as France. We want the same attitude to defense, a desire to execute better in attack and lay everything on the line...Kumul style!Remember this please, this side is the youngest side in the competition, the least experienced, the least representation from NRL or English Super League. Your National Team is competitive now. Imagine how good Team Kumul will become if we keep persevering with our long-term plan. Patience is our greatest virtue. Patience and courage conquers all things.

Kumuls Coaching Director Mel Meninga has sent in an open letter to PNG Kumuls supporters.

He said the game on Sunday was heart wrenching, heart breaking but chock full of heart. It was so hard to come with right words to soften the pain of a narrow loss.

Those of us involved here in England were full of praise for the team’s effort as you all should be back at home.

France has been playing in the English super league since 2000. This experience in this World Cup Rugby League is providing the building blocks for many years to come.

We have moved forward, dusted ourselves off, and are staying positive for our next match against Samoa.

Patience is our greatest virtue.

Kumuls celebrate a try against France. Getty Image

Ray Thompson is relishing the experience of his first ever World Cup for Papua New Guinea and after a narrow loss to France in their opening game of Rugby League World Cup 2013, the hooker cannot wait to get back out there again on Monday against Samoa at Craven Park, Hull (8:00pm).

Before they were defeated 8-9, the North Queensland Cowboys star feels that PNG were heading for victory against France, and he knows that they have what it takes to do well in the tournament.

“The preparations for the game against Samoa are going really well,” said Thompson. “Obviously we were a bit disappointed with the result against France but there are still a lot of positives to take out of that game.

“It means we go into training with a bit of confidence and we know the areas that we need to improve. For us it has been so far, so good.

“The pleasing thing from the France game was that we got ourselves in a position to win. We feel that our ball execution let us down a bit so that is something to work on.

“We know Samoa have a big pack which means our defence is going to be important on Monday so we will be working on that in training.

“Our main priority is what we do. We will have a little look at Samoa and how they play but at the moment the priority is taking care of ourselves and making sure we do everything right.”

Thompson is also enjoying the atmosphere surrounding RLWC2013, and believes that the vociferous crowds have been as impressive as the entertaining matches in the tournament so far.

“The crowds have been awesome, really boisterous, so it is good to get out there when they are right behind us and they will push us on to win,” said Thompson.

“It is my first experience and I am loving it. England is a great place, everyone is really nice, the weather might be a bit different to Australia but I am really enjoying it.

“There have been some great games, some dark horses getting wins when they were not expected to and knocking some other teams off their guard. It is great to be a part of it.”

Tickets are still available for the PNG v Samoa RLWC2013 Group B match at Craven Park, Hull, on Monday (8.00pm) and are priced from as little as £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. To purchase your ticket, please either visit www.eticketing.co.uk/rlwc/ or call our 24-hour ticketing hotline on 08448472013.

PNG Squad

Josiah Abavu

Paul Aiton

Dion Aiye

Ase Boas

Jason Chan

Neville Costigan

Isreal Eliab

Richard Kambo

Enoch Maki

Larsen Marabe

Bosam Nene MacDonald

David Mead

Mark Mexico

Jessi Joe Nandye

Sebastion Pandia

Jason Tali

Ray Thompson

Charlie Wabo

Menzie Yere
Source: 2013 Rugby League World Cup

PAPUA New Guinea’s hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World are still alive.
They just have to beat Samoa on Tuesday morning to give themselves a chance of finishing second or third in Group B.
Only one match has been played between the two countries. That was in March, 2009, when Samoa beat a PNG Residents team 26-18.
A physical Samoa lost their first match to New Zealand 42-24 on Monday morning.
Coach Adrian Lam said there would be changes for the match that was now the most important clash of his career.
Unused prop Joe Bruno, utility Wellington Albert, goalkickers in backrower Sebastian Pandia and Francis Paniu could find themselves in Lam’s 17 as PNG looks to snare a desparately needed win at Craven Park.
Lam is set to announce his squad tomorrow with all 23 players available.
Lam is also expected to confirm who will be the side’s designated goalkicker with David Mead still a chance of retaining the duties.
General manager Matthew Natusch said there were no injury concerns and the players were keen to make amends against Samoa.
Scotland’s gutsy 26-24 win over Tonga in their Group C clash on Wednesday morning has given the Kumuls confidence they can spring a surprise on Samoa.
The Kumuls will be buoyed by the fact that they beat Scotland convincingly (38-20) in a warm-up last month.
And the Danny Brough-led Bravehearts turned their form around to edge out a Tongan side that are on par with Samoa.
Tonga crushed Samoa 36-4 in an international earlier in the year.
Pre-World Cup form may count for little, however PNG does have a very good record against the Pacific Island countries, particularly Tonga and Fiji.
The Kumuls have beaten Tonga three times and drawn once in the four times they have met.
The biggest win was a 56-16 thrashing in 1996 while their two World Cup clashes were a 28-28 draw in 1995 and a 22-18 win in 2000.
Samoa have a strong side that has National Rugby League talent led by Reni Maitua, Ben Roberts, Mose Masoe, Antonio Winterstein and Daniel Vidot.

Papua New Guinea hooker Paul Aiton has left Wakefield to join Yorkshire rivals Leeds on a three-year contract.

Aiton joined Wakefield from Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks prior to the start of last season and has been one of their outstanding players ever since, winning their Player of the Year award for this year's Super League campaign.

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Kumuls player wins appeal against suspension

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PNG Kumuls Co-Captain Paul Aiton joins Leeds