Captain David Mead has led Papua New Guinea to their first rugby league win on foreign soil in 16 years, upsetting Fiji 24-22 in a thrilling opening to an international double-header in Parramatta on Saturday night.
Mead, one of just two players with NRL experience in the Kumuls line-up, saved two certain tries in the first half, including a 60-metre chase to deny Canterbury player Tyrone Phillips.
The Gold Coast winger wasn’t the only player to star for PNG, with halfback Watson Boas crossing twice and brother Ase kicking three goals.
Mead’s Titans teammate Nene Macdonald appeared to have sealed the win when he extended the lead to eight late in the contest, only for Fijian winger Etuate Qionimacawa to bring them back within striking distance in the 76th minute.
However the Kumuls held on against a Fiji side boasting seven NRL players, giving them their first victory on foreign soil since a World Cup triumph against Tonga in 2000.
The breakthrough win also came despite losing winger Justin Olam for 10 minutes in the sin bin after the PNG Hunters representative committed a professional foul in the first half.
Papua New Guinea were down 12-8 when Olam intercepted a pass from an offside position, paving the way for the Fiji Bati to take a 16-8 halftime lead through Qionimacawa.
rebel
Guest
Gee some very insecure answers to your question there.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Been a good weekend for representative football. Anyone who thinks Test rugby league doesn't exist or doesn't have a future has been drinking too much Kool Aid. Home brewn too.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Perhaps, but that is an officiating issue for both codes that can be addressed through each sport's appropriate channels.
Thor
Guest
True. Kind of makes the game between Roos and Kiwis predictable and boring.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
That's the way the game should be played at 100km,strong body contact,quick movement of the ball,safe hands ,players who look like athletes whilst playing like footballers. Give the Kumuls a few more years ,with a few more experienced homegrown hardheads and even the Roos would get a decent contest. Fiji can hold their heads up high. Another great International.
kalofonia
Guest
Well done Kumuls... a well deserved win, am proud of the entire teams effort...congratulations to Coach Michael Marum, a first for a Test match...believe you can match the best coaches in the region and NRL. Polish up the mistakes and I think Kumuls can be a force to be reckoned with in the Pacific Nations Tournament and inclusion in the 4 Nations Cup (referring to Rugby League, not Union), to test the heavies a good run for their money!!! ..well done Kumuls..our support moves to the next level...makoia!!..burukim!!
Farmduck
Roar Rookie
PNG beat Scotland 38-20 on 19 October 2013 in Featherstone.
jimmmy
Guest
Yeah Blimp you tell where we are going wrong . ThNks for the input.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Speaking of penalties, I couldn't believe that Kumuls player was sin binned for being silly. No way did it deserve ten minutes, a penalty would have been more appropriate.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Better than blowing penalties just to even the count up or blatantly ignore penalties because you've just given one.
Womblat
Guest
We don't have to. The penaltythons you call internationals are doing that for us.
Renegade
Roar Guru
There isn't many rugby union fans to begin so it would be a pointless attempt?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yes it is.
Thor
Guest
This is league page. Quit whatever you are taking.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Try applying Occam's Razor: things get classified by a drop down menu, people click the wrong thing sometimes...
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I'm not sure why these articles on league and AFL keep appearing on the rugby page, and have been for years. Is it an attempt to lure rugby followers to watch league and AFL?
Connor Bennett
Editor
I wrote an article about 18 months ago about the rise of Rugby League in PNG, this is just amazing to see the progression of the sport in such a league mad country. Yeah it might not be the lead up to a world cup win but it's small steps into making the country the spring of talent it can be
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Still can't believe it. What a win by the Kumuls, good to see the PNG Hunters development is having a positive impact on the national team. Fingers crossed a test match is announced against Tonga at the end of the year. I can't wait to see what is to come for both of these teams in the future especially now with the likely inclusion of Fiji in the Intrust Super Premiership. O Arise, All You Sons.