Today’s Prime Ministers’ XIII clash between PNG and Australia is a test for the local boys as they rub shoulders with players whom they had heard of or seen on TV.
The showdown is also a fact-finding mission for PNG to show our preparedness for the Rugby League World Cup next year.
Coach Adrian Lam is adamant that the coaching staff and the management of the Kumuls team to the World Cup be named now so they can prepare the team properly for the challenge in England.
Lam’s naming of his secret weapon – Charlie Wabo and Wartovo Puara Jr – in this match against a well prepared Australian outfit is like a David versus Goliath tussle. The country is behind the team despite their late preparations and surely Lloyd Robson Oval is expecting a huge crowd.
Lam knows the boys have done well in training.
“The boys in the camp are fantastic as they are catching up so fast with the coaching drills that I have given, and I wish I had enough time with them,” he said.
The showdown is also a fact-finding mission for PNG to show our preparedness for the Rugby League World Cup next year.
Coach Adrian Lam is adamant that the coaching staff and the management of the Kumuls team to the World Cup be named now so they can prepare the team properly for the challenge in England.
Lam’s naming of his secret weapon – Charlie Wabo and Wartovo Puara Jr – in this match against a well prepared Australian outfit is like a David versus Goliath tussle. The country is behind the team despite their late preparations and surely Lloyd Robson Oval is expecting a huge crowd.
Lam knows the boys have done well in training.
“The boys in the camp are fantastic as they are catching up so fast with the coaching drills that I have given, and I wish I had enough time with them,” he said.
“However it will be a good game to see where we stand. We are expecting nothing big but we will do our best to come out with a result we want,” Lam said.
The Mal Meninga coached side arrived on Friday at 1.25pm at the Jackson’s International Airport from Cairns.
“I know it’s a huge task but we are all looking forward to it. We are not take this game lightly as some of us here are making our debut and are putting everything on the line to get the result everyone wants. Mi no care ol brukim bun blon mi or wanem ( I don’t care if they break my bone or not). This is the only chance I will have to prove my selection and I must stand and fight hard,” centre Jason Tali said.
Tali is one of the six debutants who will line up with the rest of the team to be led by skipper Glen Nami in this weekend’s clash against the Australians.
“I think all the players would want to be part of that Kumuls team and I am sure they will give their best shot despite late preparations,” said former rugby league star Andrew Norman.
The Australians are led by Gold Coast Titans skipper and halfback Scott Prince. This is his second trip to PNG for this annual clash between the two countries.
Tickets are selling at K100 per head for the grandstand while the outer stand is K20. Children below the age of 12 are paying K20 for grandstand and K5 for outer stand. All tickets are being sold at the gate now. Post Courier.
A huge crowd is building up at the gate now. We will bring the game live on twitter.
The Mal Meninga coached side arrived on Friday at 1.25pm at the Jackson’s International Airport from Cairns.
“I know it’s a huge task but we are all looking forward to it. We are not take this game lightly as some of us here are making our debut and are putting everything on the line to get the result everyone wants. Mi no care ol brukim bun blon mi or wanem ( I don’t care if they break my bone or not). This is the only chance I will have to prove my selection and I must stand and fight hard,” centre Jason Tali said.
Tali is one of the six debutants who will line up with the rest of the team to be led by skipper Glen Nami in this weekend’s clash against the Australians.
“I think all the players would want to be part of that Kumuls team and I am sure they will give their best shot despite late preparations,” said former rugby league star Andrew Norman.
The Australians are led by Gold Coast Titans skipper and halfback Scott Prince. This is his second trip to PNG for this annual clash between the two countries.
Tickets are selling at K100 per head for the grandstand while the outer stand is K20. Children below the age of 12 are paying K20 for grandstand and K5 for outer stand. All tickets are being sold at the gate now. Post Courier.
A huge crowd is building up at the gate now. We will bring the game live on twitter.
| PNG Prime Ministers 13 Josiah Abavu (Vipers) Mathew Puke (Muruks) Richard Kambo (Vipers) Jason Tali (Eagles) Albert Patak (Guria) Dion Aiye (Guria) Israel Eliab (Vipers) Rodney Pora (Guria) Charlie Wabo (Muruks) Gonzela Urakuse (Lahanis) David Loko (Mioks) Mark Mexico (Tigers) Glen Nami (Lahanis) Wesley Mohukule (Lahanis) Larsen Marabe (NSW) Enoch Maki (Vipers) Wartovo Puara Jr (Guria) Essau Siune (lions Shadow players Roy Kela (Muruks) Thompson Teteh (Lahanis) Adrian Lam (coach) Michael Marum (assistant coach) Matthew Natusch team manager/physio Neil Dunkley trainer Dr James Naipao doctor | Australian Prime Minister 13 Darius Boyd, Akuila Uate, Jamal Idris, Chris Lawrence, Michael Jennings, Lachlan Coote, Scott Prince (captain), Aaron Woods, Andrew McCullough, Ben Hannant, Matt Gillett, Feleti Mateo , Corey Parker Interchange: Peter Wallace, Tim Mannah, J osh McGuire, Ben Te'o, William Zillman (18th man) ABC News |
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