Papua New Guinea

[mikkolos]

I was wondering if anybody in the know could tell me why PNG aren;t a force in the international arena? The entire population loves the sport and they are full of natural athletes, big, fast guys. The only factor i can think of is money, if this is the case, why aren't the RLIF pumping money into them?
On a side note, could somebody post the PNG team from the match played against Australias PM XIII last month?

 

[Sun_Down]

I have read that, the people of PNG, are traditionally smaller than that of Samoa/Tonga etc. (Are they NOT Polynesians?)

The RLIF has done some very good things:
*The AIDS/Violence awareness match
*Annual matches against an Invitational side/Junior Kangaroo
*(I think) They set up the SP Cup again

There is probably a whole host of other things we do not see, such as coaching clinics, materials etc.

But they should be doing a lot more, a one-off against some Australian side is not very stimulating. They desereve better than that.

 

[joshreading]

PNGers are melanesians like the Fijians. Smaller yes, still so much potential going to waste without adequate resources

 

[The Observer]

Mikkolos, this thread lists some reasons why PNG isn't a force - money is a big factor.

http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?t=63007&highlight=PNG

The team has been listed in other threads - do a search on PNG in this forum.