Skip to main content

Follow for More Rugby League News Updates

'PNG KUMUL KNOWS HOW TO BEAT THE GIANTS' - by Eddie Aila, PNG Kumul 196

 'PNG KUMUL KNOWS HOW TO BEAT THE GIANTS'

Rugby League World Cup 2022,PNG Kumuls,PNG Hunters,PNG Kumul,NRL,RLWC 2022,

The Perspective

By: Eddie Aila - PNG Kumul 196 

22 years ago I was 21years old.

We got flogged 63-0 in our warm-up game against the Kangaroos in Townsville. 

We trained the house down as a result of a crappy performance, courtesy of the current Melbourne Storm coach, Craig Bellamy.

We got saluted off from our camp at Goldie Barracks with deafening bombs and gun salute.

We were heading for war in France and England, brother's in arms, for our country.

We sang on the bus but we were still divided - Highlands, Islands, Mix-race, Outcasts... United yet separated. 

We arrived to train in Carcassonne, France for a few days before heading to Paris to play hosts, France.

In France, something clicked when we landed in Paris and passed by a million bridges... we sang like "PNG", no longer divided!!

Our singing bonded us. Lonely tears fell quietly as we travelled on the bus, singing our hearts out, to our training ground before the game in 4-hours. Each of us felt it. This was different singing... It was special. 

Adrian Lam told us, "if we play how we sang, we'll win this game tonight!" We were pumped, emotional, excited, confident...

We thought of our parents, families, friends, villages and country and why we bleed red, black and gold. 

We ended up playing exactly "how we sang", although we let them lead at half-time. 

Yes, we assassinated France in their capital city that night. Nobody expected it in Paris or the Rugby League World. 

We took the legs out from under the giants of South Africa the following week.

It was now PNG v. Tonga to win the pool and advance to the Rugby League World Cup 2000 Quarter finals.

They unrelentingly belted our line for 25minutes... The Kumul's didn't move back once... Not once. 

We sniffed blood when their captain made a run to score on our try line, as we waited on our line, but he woke up concussed. He never made it. 

It was our turn now, the spirit of these Pacific giants was broken... The Kumul soared high... 

So we ran with the ball. We passed. We supported. We ran. We passed... We scored!!! 1st try!!! 

*HIGHLANDS WIPER DANCE & LOUD CHANT*

Press repeat... Over and over and over again... Plus add in a lot of defence when they had the ball...

Full Time... Kumul's beat favourites Tonga!

Yes, we slayed the Pacific giant and left for England to play in the quarters. Our hosts in England had to pull down the Tongan flag and put up the PNG flag. 

Unfortunately, Wales stole our nation's heart in that game but we came back home proud, tired but absolutely thankful for the support we had and the honour to fight for our country.

Tonight is about the current team and the legacy they create... However I thought I'd share my memory of the 2000 World Cup with you all. 22years on from these memories, I believe this team is far better than ours and I'm super excited to watch the game. In fact, this might be the best team ever to don the colours when you look at the calibre of players - there are guns across the park. 

Of course we need to be humble as there is a job to do but the fact remains, PNG knows how to beat giants. Despite our differences, when PNG unites, it has always been a tremendous, unstoppable force. 

I wish our pride of Kumul's the best tonight and to hunt them down without fear or favour. We will all be watching and backing you all. Yumi stap!! 

KUMUL196. 

P.s. By the time I finished writing this, my 1hour data expired 😂😂😂 enjoy the game guys!

Comments

  1. Eddie, that's the best team ever. We were moulded and shape in the military environment before going out to war. This team is a naturally built team that doesn't have the modern technology to use but mind power to overcome their oppositions. Endurance and Stamina is the secret of this great team. We are not big in size but have the true spirit of Kumuls to fight on until the final whistle. Greg Bellamy and I are very proud team Trainers in the 2000 World Cup. We produce the best team of complete footballers. I always will treasure this team as long as I live. We went to the quarter finals and lost to Wales. I can still recall most of the boys shed tears after the lost. If Johnny Wilshere is good with his boot we would have won the game. Salute you all and God bless
    - comment by George Kele via Facebook.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

MORE NEWS ON CELEBRITIES, FINANCE, BUSINESS AND TECH.

Popular posts from this blog

Rising Star Alex Max Ignites SP Hunters Rugby with Phenomenal Performances!

ALEX MAX ON FIRE FOR SP HUNTERS Alex Max is sweepingly becoming a household name for the SP Hunters for his impressive performances since he débuted in April 2024. His mesmerizing exhibitions had attracted wide following with media outlets doing their rounds well to celebrate the Simbu warrior's rugby talents. The 24 years Gumine native has been in sensational from his first game with 11 tries from 11 games. He can bust the defence line easily and defend well all day with blistering foot work and good fends iced with calculated money passes. Towering at 184cm the bullocking loose foward cum center has had his name chewed hard by rugby league commentators everytime he runs onto the ball, holding rugby fanatics in crazy mode. Max tasted professional football with the Waghi Tumbes before transitioning to the Hunters via the Gurias who moulded him as a foward from his usual center position. The 85Kg frame from Waramaril village in remote Gumine has been a good find for the Hunters co...

Devastating Defeat: SP PNG Hunters Crushed by Sunshine Coast Falcons in Round 19 Clash

Devastating Defeat: SP PNG Hunters Crushed by Sunshine Coast Falcons in Round 19 Clash In a match that fans will want to forget, the SP PNG Hunters faced a grim reality this afternoon, falling to an overwhelming 66-8 defeat at the hands of the Sunshine Coast Falcons during Round 19 of the Hostplus Cup Competition. The once-promising hopes of a comeback quickly faded as the Hunters struggled to find their rhythm on the field, leaving supporters disheartened. From the outset, the Hunters seemed to falter against the relentless momentum of the Falcons. Though they managed to score an early try, taking a brief lead of 4-0, it quickly turned into a nightmare as Sunshine Coast responded with an onslaught of points. By halftime, the scoreboard reflected a staggering 32-4 in favor of the Falcons, with the Hunters unable to capitalize on any scoring opportunities or regain control of the game. The second half saw no respite for the Hunters, who appeared to lose cohesion and confidence as the ...

Papua New Guinea Kumuls duo Justin Olam and Edwin Ipape will miss this Sunday's Pacific Championship Series opener against Cook Islands at the Santos National Football Stadium.

Papua New Guinea Kumuls duo Justin Olam and Edwin Ipape will miss this Sunday's Pacific Championship Series opener against Cook Islands at the Santos National Football Stadium. Sports Scene Papua New Guinea Kumuls duo Justin Olam and Edwin Ipape will miss this Sunday's Pacific Championship Series opener against Cook Islands at the Santos National Football Stadium.  Kumul Coach Justin Holbrook revealed during an interview today that Ipape copped a one match ban during a Super League Final game while Olam decided to sit the match out.  "Both players will be available in the next game against Fiji Batis scheduled for the 22nd in Port Moresby.  Despite this changes, the team did admirably well in their absence at a training session this morning.  Holbrook didnt disclose further details on the starting line-up but said he will announce on Saturday.  It is believed that the team will be captained by Kyle Laybutt going into the series.  Stay tune for more updates ...

Justin Olam to Join Tigers for 2024 Season Amid Club Recruitment Shake-Up

Justin Olam to Join Tigers for 2024 Season Amid Club Recruitment Shake-Up Picture:  NRL on Nine   In recent news, Justin Olam, a prominent rugby player, is set to join the Tigers for the 2024 season after a period of reduced form in 2023, during which he played for the Sunshine Coast in the Queensland Cup. The recruitment of Olam was reportedly influenced by coach Benji Marshall and interim chief executive Shane Richardson, rather than an axed recruitment manager. Additionally, the article highlights the strained relationship between recruitment manager Fulton and coach Marshall, which has led to changes in the club's recruitment structure, with a new recruitment committee consisting of Richardson, Marshall, and interim head of football Matthew Betsey. Read full news here:  Justin Olam set to join Wests Tigers hours after recruitment manager's exit  https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2034-justin-olam-to-join-wests-tigers-immediately/b8fe1026-5f97-42ca-8ab3-966c361d84d...

MEET THE SANTOS PNG ORCHIDS SERA KOROI - INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RUGBY LEAGUE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

  MEET THE SANTOS PNG ORCHIDS SERA KOROI - INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RUGBY LEAGUE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA Santos PNG Orchids by Santos PNG Orchids MEET THE ORCHIDS – Sera Koroi: It Takes a Village When Sera Koroi found out she was pregnant in mid-2021, she thought her long-held dream to represent the Orchids at a Rugby League World Cup was over, with the tournament scheduled for November that year. But a 12-month postponement left the door ajar for Sera, whose mother is from New Ireland Province and whose father is from Fiji, to play for PNG after all. Sera explains: “When I got pregnant, it was God’s plan for me. I really trusted that no matter what. Then when the tournament got postponed, I thought it was meant to be. Before I knew I was pregnant, I actually injured my angle which forced me to stop playing, which was His way of taking me out of the sport and making sure my son would be healthy. “After I had my son Viliame on 28 October 2021, it was pretty hard because ...

Coach Wayne Bennett Eyed Young Unitech Graduate and PNG Kumul Roderic Tai to Sign a Full-Time Contract with Redcliff.

Coach Wayne Bennett Eyed Young Unitech Graduate and PNG Kumul Back Rower Roderic Tai to Sign a Full-Time Contract with Redcliff - Pathway to NRL. by  PARKER TAMBUA , The  National Sports -  Rugby League Romantics  - 08 June 2023. Tai’s NRL dream likely PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls back Roderick Tai is likely to sign a full-time contract with Redcliff Dolphins National Rugby League side but details are yet to be confirmed. SP PNG Hunters coach Stanley Tepend said yesterday Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett had retained Tai after the completion of his initial four-week train and trial stint with the side. Fellow Hunter Morea Morea, who was invited by the Dolphins for a four-week train and trial arrangement, returned to the SP Brewery-sponsored side after his stint in Brisbane. “Morea Morea has been sent back but Roderick Tai is still in Brisbane with the Dolphins,” Tepend said. “There is some good signs there with Roderick and they (Dolphins) might sign him. “It’s not confi...

Coates-Olam Combo Building

 “It’s pretty crazy if you look at the highlights of some of the runs Justin Olam had and the tackles he made which made an impact straight away. “It’s good playing alongside Juzzy on the same edge. “He makes me feel really comfortable in defence and I feel like I’m not stressing if there’s any play that unfolds." Coates-Olam combo building March 30, 2023The NationalSports By PARKER TAMBUA PAPUA New Guinea internationals Justin Olam and Xavier Coates will face-off with fellow Kumul Alex Johnston when the South Sydney Rabbitohs host the Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium in Sydney tomorrow night (7pm kick-off). The Port Moresby-born Storm winger Xavier Coates said yesterday that he felt comfortable when playing alongside his countryman (Olam) on the same edge in National Rugby League’s (NRL) round 4 win over Wests Tigers in Melbourne last week. Kumul No.294, Johnston, was named at No.2 for the Bunnies while Olam and Coates will wear No.4 and No.5 respectively for the Storm. Bellamy h...

THE SP Hunters management are not happy with Wartovo Puara Jnr’s move to new Digicel Cup franchise Sepik Pride

Hunters question signing The National Sports February 17, 2023. THE SP Hunters management are not happy with Wartovo Puara Jnr’s move to new Digicel Cup franchise Sepik Pride, but have wished him well in his career. Hunters head coach Stanley Tepend said he was not pleased with the procedure in which the Pride had communicated with the Hunters leading up to the signing of the 2017 Hunters premiership winning hooker. Tepend said Digicel Cup franchises should respect the Hunters, in regards to poaching players. However, Tepend said Puara was winding down his career and his move was for the best interest of his family. “We would like to wish Wartovo all the best in his career and all the best to the Pride as well,” Tepend said. “He feels that the decision was for the best interest of his family and we respect that. “But for the Hunters, we always try to maintain a good relationship with all Digicel Cup clubs. “As part of our progarmme, we allow players in our 25 players’ roster to go back...

Edwin Ipape: A Settlement Kid to one of the Top Dummy Halves of the World of Rugby League

  A Settlement Kid to one of the top Dummy Halves of the world: Edwin Ipape There's a lot of upcoming rugby league talents popping out of settlements like Morata. Where will they go? Which team to Play in semi professional competition? I think Vipers, Isou and Dabaris are their home Teams as most of them are brought up in POM.  These guns loved to talk about rugby league more than politics. At least 3-4 players from the surrounding settlements who meet the requirements must be in the teams named every season. Kain blo yumi lo overlookm ol best talents na mekim selections based on heritage and whom you know yah yumi lusim liklik. At least give them a try; ol tu papa blo graun so long as they call Moresby their home; recruitm planti blol settlement boys! Thanks!! Pics is Edwin Ipape @ Warakum Redgraun settlement 😍✊. By Alex Paul VinLubes