The Papua New Guinea Kumuls claimed a decisive 42-20 victory over the Cook Islands in a thrilling Pacific Rugby League International match held at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday, November 3, 2024. An enthusiastic crowd of over 11,000 fans witnessed the Kumuls’ dynamic second-half performance, which not only sealed their victory but also allowed them to retain the Pacific Bowl.
The Kumuls dominated with eight tries, reflecting their powerful offense and determination to secure a win on home ground. Elijah Roltinga put PNG on the scoreboard with a try in the fifth minute, but the Cook Islands responded swiftly, maintaining a close contest in the early stages of the game. The Australian men’s, women’s, and junior teams arrived in Port Moresby at noon on Friday, ahead of the Prime Minister’s 13 rugby league matches set for Sunday at the National Football Stadium. Unlike previous years, their arrival at Jackson’s International Airport was met with a quieter reception.
A small group of fans, mostly children, gathered at the airport to cheer for their favorite NRL stars. Leading the men’s team was Damien Cook, captain of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who was joined by other notable players like Wests Tigers’ five-eighth Lachlan Galvin, Alofiana Kahn-Pereira from the Gold Coast Titans, and Canberra Raiders’ Jamal Fogarty. The convoy departed the airport and headed to The Stanley Hotel and Suites, where the teams will stay for the next three days. Brisbane, Australia — Michael Maguire has officially been appointed as the new head coach of the Brisbane Broncos after being released from his duties with the New South Wales State of Origin team. The Broncos confirmed on Tuesday that Maguire has signed a three-year deal, taking over the coaching responsibilities immediately ahead of the 2025 pre-season. The announcement comes just five days after the club parted ways with club legend Kevin Walters. Maguire's appointment represents a significant turnaround for the 2014 premiership winner, who was dismissed by the Wests Tigers during a challenging 2021 season. Since then, he has enjoyed success, winning a Pacific Championship with New Zealand and an Origin series with New South Wales. The SP PNG Hunters have announced that Judah Rimbu, player #92, has been named the 2024 QRL Hostplus Cup Player of the Year. Rimbu received the prestigious Petero Civoniceva Medal on Friday, September 20, during the Queensland Rugby League Awards at Brisbane’s Town Hall, surpassing notable NRL talents such as Trai Fuller, Jake Clifford, and Tom Chester.
Rimbu began his journey with the SP PNG Hunters in 2021 when the club relocated to the Gold Coast due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, he has made 69 appearances in the QRL Hostplus Cup, solidifying his place as a senior player in the Hunters' squad. Known for his versatility, Rimbu has shown consistent growth and leadership during his time with the team. Papua New Guinea is reportedly set to become the National Rugby League’s (NRL) 19th franchise, following an in-principle agreement between the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and the Australian federal government. According to The Daily Telegraph, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is backing a 10-year, AU$600 million (K1.6 billion) funding plan to integrate PNG into the NRL.
The Papua New Guinea franchise is expected to enter the first-grade competition in 2028, just one year after the Western Bears are introduced as the NRL's 18th team. The ARLC is reportedly pleased with the Australian government’s financial backing, which will support the PNG franchise until 2037. The SP PNG Hunters suffered a tough defeat to the Norths Devils in the preliminary final of the Hostplus Cup on Sunday, 15th September 2024. Held at Bishop Park, Brisbane, the high-scoring clash saw the Devils secure a 46-30 win, earning a spot in the grand final while ending the Hunters’ season. Norths Devils wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, with Oryn Keeley scoring in the 5th minute, followed by tries from Blake Paskins and Cooper Jenkins in the 12th and 16th minutes. The Devils' aggressive start overwhelmed the Hunters, and by halftime, the Devils led 22-12, leaving the Hunters with plenty of work to do in the second half. SP PNG Hunters coach Paul Aiton says defeating the Norths Devils on Sunday would not only secure the team a spot in the Hostplus Cup grand final but also serve as a perfect way to celebrate Papua New Guinea’s 49th Independence with fans. Aiton acknowledged the importance of the match and praised his team for their strong season, which has seen them qualify for the finals for the first time since winning the premiership in 2017.
Aiton, 39, in his first year as head coach, emphasized that the team remained grounded ahead of the season's biggest game. He stated that while they have achieved much by making it to the finals, they were not taking anything for granted. The team is focused on the challenge of playing the Devils at their home ground, Bishop Park. The PNG Hunters have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their Hostplus Cup preliminary final against the Norths Devils, with key five-eighth Joshua Lau ruled out of Sunday’s match. Lau, a dynamic 22-year-old, sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the Hunters' 24-10 win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons last weekend, ending his season.
Lau had been instrumental in the Hunters' second-half resurgence this season, with strong performances across 20 games. He contributed eight tries, 11 try-assists, and as many line breaks. The Porgera native was injured in the 57th minute of the match and was later taken to Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby, where scans confirmed the ACL tear. The expected recovery period for Lau is between seven to nine months, ruling him out until mid-season next year. The SP PNG Hunters have booked a place in the Hostplus Cup preliminary final after defeating the Sunshine Coast Falcons 24-10 in a semi-final match at Sunshine Coast Stadium, Australia. With this win, the Hunters now prepare to take on the Norths Devils, needing one more victory to secure a spot in the grand final.
The Falcons started strong, dominating possession in the opening 20 minutes. Despite creating several repeat sets, they were unable to break through the Hunters’ well-organized defense. The Hunters absorbed the pressure and turned the tide in their favor as the match progressed. Papua New Guinea’s ambitions to join the NRL have taken a significant step forward with the appointment of Jason Demetriou as the new Head Coach of the PNG LNG Kumuls. The announcement comes at a time when rugby league in PNG is on a high, following the success of the NRL Bid Academy tournament, which showcased the depth of young talent emerging from the schoolboy level and the Academy system.
Demetriou brings an impressive coaching resume to the role, having started his coaching career in Australia after completing his playing days in the UK. He made his mark as an Assistant Coach with the North Queensland Cowboys, where he played a crucial role in the team's 2015 NRL Premiership victory over the Brisbane Broncos. He later served as an Assistant Coach with the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos, where he oversaw the team’s attack. |
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