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No passport, no go
Wednesday 08th October, 2003
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20031008/wehome.htm
IT was a stroke of bad luck for Goroka Lahanis pivot Mack Siwi, who cant join the overseas-based Presidents 13 in next weeks international against the Australian Junior Kangaroos in Darwin.
Siwi, of Wabag and Gulf parentage, was a first choice selection but unfortunately had to be replaced because he doesnt have a valid passport.
Only Goroka team-mate Nigel Hukula, and Rabaul Gurias Chris Purkikil and Michael Marum will make the trip boarding the flight on Sunday to join their Australian counterparts.
Mack, the son of Goroka Rugby League president Pat Siwi, would have to wait another few days to make his international debut for Papua New Guinea something he has wanted to do for sometime.
PNG Rugby Football League acting general manager Joe Tokam said yesterday the three players who have played for the Kumuls will join the Bob Bennett-coached Presidents 13 for the mid-week clash. After the Darwin game the trio and captain John Wilshere will fly to PNG to join the PNG-based Presidents 13 in the Kokoda Trail Memorial challenge in Port Moresby on October 19.
That team will be coached by Ivan Ravu, a Level 3 accredited coach who gets his first chance at international fame.
However, the Marshall Lagoon man is not new to international football having performed the assistant coachs role to outspoken John Wagambie in 1992 against the British Lions.
That partnership continued as the two took the Kumuls on the tour of New Zealand and Australia later that year.
That tour will be remembered for Wagambies outburst when he fired a broadside at the Australians for not doing enough to foster the game in smaller nations like PNG.
The Kumuls also followed up his comments with a valiant performance in Townsville, holding the Test-strength Kangaroos to 8-0 at half-time before folding 36-14. "Ill hopefully draw on that experience," said Ravu, who was surprised when named to prepare the Presidents 13 for the October 19 international in Port Moresby.
"I didnt know it was coming but its a challenge, he said.
The Vipers coach has sent out training programs to the players and expects to start training together as a team this Sunday.
Ravu said the focus of his game will be defence-oriented and if they can hold off the Australians, the attack can click into motion from there.
A former national coaching director for rugby league, Ravu said the final 20 minutes of the game was important because thats when the game is won or lost.
The team would be exposed to such situations with crucial drills to practice metal toughness for the players to face the fatigue of tough football games against a team who, despite being referred to as juniors, are players on the fringe of senior Kangaroo selection.
Wednesday 08th October, 2003
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20031008/wehome.htm
IT was a stroke of bad luck for Goroka Lahanis pivot Mack Siwi, who cant join the overseas-based Presidents 13 in next weeks international against the Australian Junior Kangaroos in Darwin.
Siwi, of Wabag and Gulf parentage, was a first choice selection but unfortunately had to be replaced because he doesnt have a valid passport.
Only Goroka team-mate Nigel Hukula, and Rabaul Gurias Chris Purkikil and Michael Marum will make the trip boarding the flight on Sunday to join their Australian counterparts.
Mack, the son of Goroka Rugby League president Pat Siwi, would have to wait another few days to make his international debut for Papua New Guinea something he has wanted to do for sometime.
PNG Rugby Football League acting general manager Joe Tokam said yesterday the three players who have played for the Kumuls will join the Bob Bennett-coached Presidents 13 for the mid-week clash. After the Darwin game the trio and captain John Wilshere will fly to PNG to join the PNG-based Presidents 13 in the Kokoda Trail Memorial challenge in Port Moresby on October 19.
That team will be coached by Ivan Ravu, a Level 3 accredited coach who gets his first chance at international fame.
However, the Marshall Lagoon man is not new to international football having performed the assistant coachs role to outspoken John Wagambie in 1992 against the British Lions.
That partnership continued as the two took the Kumuls on the tour of New Zealand and Australia later that year.
That tour will be remembered for Wagambies outburst when he fired a broadside at the Australians for not doing enough to foster the game in smaller nations like PNG.
The Kumuls also followed up his comments with a valiant performance in Townsville, holding the Test-strength Kangaroos to 8-0 at half-time before folding 36-14. "Ill hopefully draw on that experience," said Ravu, who was surprised when named to prepare the Presidents 13 for the October 19 international in Port Moresby.
"I didnt know it was coming but its a challenge, he said.
The Vipers coach has sent out training programs to the players and expects to start training together as a team this Sunday.
Ravu said the focus of his game will be defence-oriented and if they can hold off the Australians, the attack can click into motion from there.
A former national coaching director for rugby league, Ravu said the final 20 minutes of the game was important because thats when the game is won or lost.
The team would be exposed to such situations with crucial drills to practice metal toughness for the players to face the fatigue of tough football games against a team who, despite being referred to as juniors, are players on the fringe of senior Kangaroo selection.
