PNG Kumuls Vs Fiji Bati-2nd Test

[thommo4pm]

No link. That's my news story. You heard it straight from the horse's mouth.

Thanks for the update mate, and good win for the PNG side.

 

[crimpo]

2 match series is geniused...do it properly and go best of 3.

If you fund it - I'm sure they'd do it!

 

[mikail-eagle]

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=185270

Shut out!


THE Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls backlash to their earlier loss to Fiji Bati proved too much for the national side as they succumbed to the host's in the second Test match yesterday.
The Jo Rabele-coached side were thrashed 0-26 by the Kumuls at Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby, PNG.
The national side skippered by Semesa Cadrakilagi won their opening inaugural two Test tour match by 26-12 at Mount Hagen.
Nadera Panthers player Kitione Rasotale and team vice captain Jone Wesele, Melbourne Storm's Sisa Waqa, Taqele Naiyarovoro and Paula Rokolati scored the tries in that win.
But yesterday, the Bati failed to break their 13-year-old winless drought at Port Moresby and gave away the Cup which was within their grasp.
Coach Rabele fielded an unchanged team which backfired after the Kumuls outfit, which mostly consisted of PNG-based players, lived up to their expectation.
The under pressured host restored the lost pride of their 'hurt' fans which hurled criticism on the team's poor performance in their earlier match.
Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) operations manager Rusiate Ratakele, who spoke to tour manager Steve McLellan after the loss yesterday, said it was a tough game.
Ratakele said national team was unable to repeat their earlier performance to clinch the tour title.
"Four of our players got injured in the early stages of the game which led to some changes. I don't know who these four were but their injuries impacted on the team's performance," he said.
"We knew the side would come back fired up after their earlier loss and it was bit disappointing for us to give away the tour title.
"Despite the loss, we are happy with the sacrifice of the team and we hope to learn from our mistakes and move forward.
"We thank technical advisor Rick Stone for his assistance. We will watch the DVD of the games and the team and individual performance will be analysed."
Ratakele said they were thankful of the PNG Rugby League chairman John Numapo for making the inaugural tour an annual event until 2015.

 

[hutch]

Any idea on the crowd?

 

[mikail-eagle]

Any idea on the crowd?

This radio interview with Brad Tassel on the PNGRL gives says a figure btw 7000-10,000. But I reports from the ground says it was close to 15,000.


http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201111/s3357629.htm

 

[Perth Red]

good coaching by Lam to turn them around. Shame its not best of three!

 

[Tavurvur]

good coaching by Lam to turn them around. Shame its not best of three!

I'm not sure whether the Fijians could have survived an extra Test in PNG. I was at the match and the Kumuls knocked four starting Bati (internationals) out in the first quarter.

Two Bati were off to the Haus Sik (Hospital) and the other two more were made spectators. The Kumuls' defence was just ferocious.

I haven't seen a defensive performance like this from the local lads for a long time - not since Adrian Lam was calling the shots on the paddock.

I'm even more impressed by the team's collective young age and their international inexperience. Great for PNG Footy - the future looks bright.

My prediction: PNG Kumuls to finish Top 4 in RL World Cup 2013 and Runners-up in Pool B.

 

[mikail-eagle]

The Kumuls defence was definately the talking point after the game. The intensity and commitment was the same for the full 80 minutes.

Coach Lam also managed to get his attacking combinations right this time around by moving Jessie Joe Parker to Five-Eight to combine with Dion Aiye.

This lead to better and faster ball movement.

 

[Mullins!!!]

lol! why does it always seem that the 'actual' 4th best team in the world never get into the 4 nations at the right time. I reckon both France and PNG would beat Wales ATM no discredit to wales they're doing great!

 

[NRL-TGG]

No link. That's my news story. You heard it straight from the horse's mouth.

Cheers.

 

[siv]

lol! why does it always seem that the 'actual' 4th best team in the world never get into the 4 nations at the right time. I reckon both France and PNG would beat Wales ATM no discredit to wales they're doing great!

Simple solution

Play a 4 Nation Euro Cup (incl England) mid year while SOO is on

Play a 4 Nation Pacific Cup (incl NZ) mid year while the SOO is on

Winners of both are automatic selections in the 4 nations along with Australia

Then the 4th place team is a playoff winner between the 2 second placed teams

 

[The Partisan]

Nice sentiment Siv, but I think you'd be cutting it a bit too fine for the organisers. Even if the Northern and Southern hemisphere comps were held in May it only gives them 5 months to plan and promote the series.

Personally I'd have France Wales and PNG and one of the Pacific nations teams play a series in the northern hemisphere with the Pacific Team v PNG game played in a new frontier that has shown to be progressive in its approach to the promotion and marketing of the game.

 

[crimpo]

The last time Wales played France they beat them. The last time Wales played PNG they beat them. The fact they then struggle against the big 3 shouldn't be surprising. But they EARNED the right to play them - just as PNG did last time. The current system is as good as we can get and hopefully the fourth side will progress as time passes but it ain't going to happen overnight