Could PNG become an international force?

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Now I think that PNG, because of the rise of the PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup, and the emergence of a core of professional players in the NRL and British Championship competitions, has a chance to make an impact internationally. The nation now has a potentially fantastic spine, with good three quarter line. The main question mark is the forward pack.

Here are the core of full time professionals now playing apart from the Hunters:


FB: David Mead (Gold Coast Titans)

WG: Garry Lo (Sheffield Eagles)

CE: Nene Macdonald (Gold Coast Titans), Menzie Yere (Sheffield Eagles)

FE: Israel Eliab (London Broncos)

HB: Paul Aiton (Catalans Dragons) ?

PR: Mark Mexico (Sheffield Eagles)

HK: James Segyaro (Penrith Panthers)


The big task for the the RLIF is to get the NRL players to put up their hands for the PNG squad.

 

[Sydney Knight]

Paul Aiton probably doesn't have that many more years left. They need Segayaro to commit

 

[CQ Italia]

Yes they can, but PNG really do need to improve on junior rugby league growth and structures there - that should be their focus

But, Fiji will soon be further ahead with a hopefully the NSW Cup club approved. A wrath of new unearthed talent for league combined with a lot of strong young and experienced NRL players has them in very good stead.

Just for forwards: 20 year old Saifiti twins already in Knights first grade squad, Kikau and RCG at Panthers, 2 Sims at Knights (although both are in Emerging Origin squads), Evans at Roosters (again Emerging Origin), Vunakece (with Wyong but training with the Roosters in the preseason), Sims at Warrington, Bukuya (again Emerging Origin, but wont get picked anytime soon), Roqica

 

[Billythekid]

They have a far bigger population than NZ and rugby league is their national sport. Their is no reason they shouldnt be able to become one:

 

[jim_57]

The fact that PNG - A country of 6 million just north of Australia with RL as the national sport - has so few professional players just screams ignorance by NRL clubs. The Hunters have been great and are a big step in the right direction, but the ultimate aim for me would be to work towards a big inglux of juniors to NRL clubs. The Hunters should seriously look at fielding an Under 18 team in the QLD junior comps if financially viable. Ideally in 10 years I'd hope to see something like this set up for PNG:

Digicel Cup - National Semi-Pro Comp
PNG Hunters - QLD Cup with Under 18 side in associated QLD comp.
Possibly a second QLD Cup side.
An annual game Vs Australia or NZ. Ideally an annual tri series.
40+ juniors in NRL junior sides.
30+ players playing in NRL or SL

 

[siv]

They went backwards after they banned the shoulder charge

I dont think Meninga helped either

Better that they get a local coach helped by someone like Bennett

 

[ULYSSES]

Of course PNG could become a force on the international stage, but not until the developed world understand the logistical, demographic, political and geographic issues involved. PNG is a nation made up of several hundred ethnic groups that traditionally hate or at the very least distrust each other. Of the 6 million population there is widespread poverty, illiteracy and even ignorance of the nation state. Less than 10% would live above the poverty line. Yes , PNG can be a force but until the country raises it's standards it will not contribute to the financial strength of the game. I want to see PNG embraced, encouraged and developed but that is a lengthy process that ultimately will be beneficial but is not some quick fix to grow the game. Adelaide or Perth would be far more productive than PNG in the short term.