ethos
BroncoKiwi
Papua New Guinea - Pride and Passion
October 25th 2008 23:34
Category: Match Results
As a rugby league fan I am standing and applauding the effort of Papua New Guinea in the opening clash of 2008 World Cup.
There are critics claiming the tournament has no place on the rugby league calendar – but try telling that to the Kumuls, who nearly pulled off the upset of the century against the might of the English in Townsville last night.
They were expected to be cannon fodder for the likes of Australia, New Zealand and England in the ‘Pool of Death’. To put it simply, this match was the rugby league version of David v Goliath.
On one hand we had English players, earning up to 500,000 pounds per season while training and competing in top class facilities in the prestigious English Super League. On the other, we had the bits-and-piece PNG squad. The vast chasm between the two nations is illustrated by the story of Jessie Joe Parker. The young centre is paid a meagre sum of $12.50 a week to play on dirt fields in his home country.
Unlike their more fancied rivals, the Kumuls side is relatively anonymous to Australian viewers but they are united by two things that money could never buy – passion and belief.
This determination and motivation was evident throughout the whole game and typified by the efforts of JJ Parker in the first half, who stopped a try with a miraculous tackle. He was later rushed off to hospital after receiving a fractured eye socket in the process.
Papua New Guinea is the only country on the globe that calls rugby league its national sport and in an age where the likes of $onny Bill Williams are chasing the cash, it’s refreshing to see individuals playing for the love of the game.
Lock forward Rod Griffin’s four pointer in the 20th minute sparked frenzied celebrations (pictured) as if PNG had won the world cup itself. Tthe emotion of the players during the national anthem was also a sight to be seen.
In the end the scoreline flattered the Poms and the result could have been different if not for a number of refereeing blunders. PNG were denied a try in the second half when the pass to winger David Moore was clearly NOT forward. Rubbing salt into the wounds, an English four pointer in 70th was incorrectly awarded when the pass was akin to a grid iron throw.
Hopefully other nations can draw inspiration from the feats of the Papuans - last night’s game is proof that with a bit of luck, skill and desire anyone can beat anyone on the day.
We should be set for a cracking World Cup!
...
England - 32
Tries: Lee Smith 3, Ade Gardner 2, Martin Glesson
Goals: Kevin Sinfield 4/6
Papua New Guinea - 22
Tries: Rod Griffin, Jason Chan, George Kepa, Paul Aiton
Goals: John Wilshere 3/4
...
Sunday's Results:
France 36 def. Scotland 18
Australia 30 def. New Zealand 6
...
Monday's Fixture:
Tonga v Ireland - Kick off 6:55pm (AEDST) at the Parrmatta Stadium, broadcast LIVE on FoxSports and streamed LIVE from nrl.com
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