PNG's performance

[Didgi]

They put too much into massive big hits. These are te toughest Rugby League players in the world, you don't try to smash them every tackle, at least not to the point where you can't do anything else. They were hopeless at finishing tackles too. How many times did you see Gallen, TLL et al move one inch backwards before making 10m?

 

[ali]

It's safe to say we're kidding ourselves if we think the other developing nations, PNG included, will ever have a solid footy team.
League will always stay within the top 3, England, NZ and Australia.
I don't understand all the hopes on leagues international status considering it was dead the moment it started.
Sure we can hope that within 50-100 years they might actually be able to put in a proper try, but that's about as high as my expectation of the future is.
Watching the game it seemed like the kumuls just wanted to smash a few blokes around and go home.
So much for 'strict and intense discipline' during training which saw 2 drunk blokes get fined.

I think the top 3 will change. In fact if you rated the countries where RL had the most fans PNG would already be in the top 3 ahead of NZ. As for playing ability, Samoa and Tonga with their army of Aussie and Kiwi raised second generation players are going to be a big threat for England's 3rd spot in the very short term. PNG, will get there when their young players get access to better player development programs and overseas clubs. Physically, they aren't up there with the polynesians but on interest alone, I can't see anything but improvement for PNG.

And before someones mentions PNG being a super poor third world country, may I point out that the relative GDPs will no doubt change over 50-100 years. After the 2nd world war, Australia and Argentina had similar GDPs but now Australia's is 4 times (?) larger. As long as this mining boom continues PNG is looking good to make some solid economic progress in the coming years which shouold tranlsate into a stronger Rl team.

 

[Skinner]

Well, they have perfected the bash, now they just need to work on all other aspects of the game....simple really.

 

[franklin2323]

Well, they have perfected the bash, now they just need to work on all other aspects of the game....simple really.

Exactly. I was at the game at the start they couldn't slow the play down as the game went on they started rolling players on the back to get the line set given most are locals the experience will do them wonders.

As for their attack. I was talking to Keith Peters at the game and injuries haven't been nice to them.

He, Thompson, Chan & Mead all were keen to play but were injured. Moari is injured also he prob could of played at a pinch but the Storm want him to get the operation now rather then put it off

 

[ozenzud]

I agree with those who think the Kumuls defence was pretty good. Not just the big hits, but I was watching their slide and numbering up. They were under pressure a lot. They made most of their one on one tackles and their defence on the line was pretty good. They are certainly strong individuals. The way that stopped blokes in their tracks on the line and didn't allow them to push through the tackles.

But in attack, they were woeful. Their half back and 5/8 didn't organise at all, one out runnning and dummy half stuff was ordinary. They did not handle the conditions and were not used to the speed of the defensive line.

They won the right to this tournament, so they should be there. These tournaments are about meaningful comps for the next tier down. They play to get experience at the top level and work us towards a meaningful world cup.

Hopefully the new RL commission will work for international RL and not just the NRL.

Sydney should never again get any international rugby league until they learn to turn up. Their would have been a bigger crowd in Wagga, Dubbo, Townsville, Rockhampton, Mudge, Cooma or Temora!

 

[docbrown]

Watching that game I get the feeling that if they had a professional structure in place - i.e. an NRL club - they could be a force in the NRL after 5-10 years and their international competitiveness would increase dramatically.

 

[God-King Dean]

They can improve immensely by simply completing their sets & getting their kicker in good position for a clean kick,

 

[Parra Guru]

PNG did themselves proud, and probably produced a better display than expected, especially with their aggression. The Aussies lacked direction, I can't believe Smith was MOTM.

The ref was dull tbh. PNG got some crap calls, and especially the (not) forward pass which was called the ONLY time they had a set of six inside Australia's 20. Spoilt the game for mine.

 

[The Partisan]

PNG held Australia scoreless from the 25th minute of the match until the 55th minute of the game.

They also after a couple of hiccups then held Australia out for another 16 minutes right at the end of the game before Lockyer scored the final try. This is at a time where many past PNG sides usually fell to pieces.

So PNG can take their hats off for bringing a good defensive game to the match. Luck certainly didn't help them out either, Slater's try is an example of that.

Naturally poor ball handling and not kicking penalties out on the full ensured PNG contributed to their own bad luck, but from my opinion, PNG really needs some backs, if David Mead had played, I honestly feel they would have at least had one explosive player who could have helped open up some opportunities for the side.

I think the comments that PNG has gotten worse is unfair. Comparing them to the 2009 Pacific Cup isn't fair as they were playing against sides who are either on equal standing or worse, so you can only really look at 2008 to compare fairly.

Now in 08, Mead showed why he is such an exciting back for the Titans, they also had Costigan and of course Gene was playing. That side had more experience, yet this team was more competitive which bodes well for the future.

Honestly I'll be disappointed if some of the PNG squad don't get picked up from this tournament. Hopefully some do which will help lay the foundations for the 2013 RLWC.

Have to agree with all your comments Yak, especially those I have bolded.

I thought the Kumuls were certainly courageous in their defence but do need to add some structure and shape to kitbag to compliment their scrambling and big hits. Attack was disjointed with the backline under utilised. Silly mistakes and mostly justified penalties didn't help.

I was hoping ( and praying ) that the score did not blow out in the last 20 mins and think that the Kumuls did well to ensure that didn't happen against a superior - albeit rusty - Roos team.

Also agree with the call on a more experienced coach. Gene certainly has the passion but not the knowledge, and so a more high profile coach would be a better option with Stanley Gene acting as assistant.

Sure I saw Ben Walker as a trainer out there too !

The question for me know is - will they have enough in the tank to provide a contest for the next two games ?

 

[Jankuloski]

That was the most entertaining flogging I've ever seen

Maasive potential for development for PNG!

 

[mikail-eagle]

As for their attack. I was talking to Keith Peters at the game and injuries haven't been nice to them.

He, Thompson, Chan & Mead all were keen to play but were injured. Moari is injured also he prob could of played at a pinch but the Storm want him to get the operation now rather then put it off

These players along with Jay Aston & Tyson Martin made the difference at the Pacific Cup when PNG qualified for the nations.

Without them there today they just looked lost in attack.

 

[newman]

I enjoyed watching the Kumuls play and felt that had they controlled the ball better and had an improved kicking game, they could have held the Aussies to less. The conditions and perhaps the occasion didnt help with the errors. This game was only ever going to be a "bit of fun" and I dont really think the Aussies got out of 2nd gear. The Roy and HG call was particularly funny. Sports bet had them with a 52+ start and I think they did well to cover that spread and they should be proud of their efforts.

In reality, until they get more players in the SL, NRL and Toyota Cup they are going to be easybeats, but entertaining to watch.

Where was Costigan?

 

[BLKOUT!]

How old is this Emmanuel Yere guy (Jukebox)? I can't find anything about him online at all.

 

[mono_mal]

Search for Menzies Yere. He appears to have changed his name or reverted to his birth name.

 

[Bluebags1908]

I think the wet weather didn't help them. A lot of the local PNG players play games on rock-hard grounds in 40 degree heat. They wouldn't hardly ever had played in rain before.

 

[Fibroman]

I'd love to see PNG serve it up to the Poms.

 

[RHCP]

They were brilliant to watch, they demonstrated so much passion. Watching the almighty Australians get belted by this unknown quantities was fantastic viewing. As far as skills go they are lacking hugely, those were some horrible kicks.

With the raw power and passion they posess, I can't help but wonder if they had a top level coach what they could become on the international stage.

 

[mrpwnd]

I think the top 3 will change. In fact if you rated the countries where RL had the most fans PNG would already be in the top 3 ahead of NZ. As for playing ability, Samoa and Tonga with their army of Aussie and Kiwi raised second generation players are going to be a big threat for England's 3rd spot in the very short term. PNG, will get there when their young players get access to better player development programs and overseas clubs. Physically, they aren't up there with the polynesians but on interest alone, I can't see anything but improvement for PNG.

And before someones mentions PNG being a super poor third world country, may I point out that the relative GDPs will no doubt change over 50-100 years. After the 2nd world war, Australia and Argentina had similar GDPs but now Australia's is 4 times (?) larger. As long as this mining boom continues PNG is looking good to make some solid economic progress in the coming years which shouold tranlsate into a stronger Rl team.

Fan base isn't really a good indication of a teams power, nor does it provide any future indication on a teams potential. I think all the NRL clubs with massive fanbases and long premiership draughts are proof of that.
I'm not overly concerned with PNG being a 'poor' country, but more the fact that the ARL do nothing to facilitate international growth of rugby league.
Consider Origin, where you have great talents in Folau, Hayne, Uate, Tonga(lol maybe?) and other polynesian blokes who give up representing their own country in hopes of achieving in Origin, Uate recently gave up playing for Fiji just so he could get a look into NSW. In a way Origin alone is isolating talent within Australia and I won't be surprised to see a PNG team within the next 50+years made up of origin rejects/reserve graders because it's a representative alternative for most players.
PNG does have talented players, but what's the point if all of them are going to end up going to Australia, changing their allegiance to Australia and representing Australia for the sake of their career? If that keeps happening they'll never be strong. I don't see rugby league as a code that will ever develop a team or a solid, strong and consistent competition within any of the island nations.
Australians in general are narrow minded, arrogant f**kwits anyway.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

^^This is 100% Correct^^

 

[VonVolks]

yeah in Australia and the pacific area, SOO and its selection issues, is the biggest single problem facing international rl.