Papua New Guinea was left with three losses and a draw in this years Prime Ministers XIII Challenge.
The Junior Orchids lost to the Australian School girls 14 points to 4, while the Junior Kumuls Managed a draw with the Australian School Boys 22 points each.
The Junior Kumuls took an early lead but with 7 minutes remaining Australia scored three tries back to back to force a draw.
The biggest thumping from Australia came in the Womens match when the Australian Women’s Prime Ministers XIII side had a field day scoring 50 points with the PNG Women left scoreless for the entire match.
In the main game Papua New Guinea came out early to score two converted tries taking a 12 – 0 lead but were forced to chase down a 42 points lead from Australia. PNG’s errors and discipline led them to lose their early lead only managing 20 points. In the end, the Australian PMs XIII side ended the game winners 42 points to 20. Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape said that the concept was very important for PNG and Australia’s partnership, especially the push by Papua New Guinea to be the 18th team in the National Rugby League (NRL) which has gained much support from the Australian Federal Government.
Prime Minister James Marape promised an even bigger Prime Ministers XIII Challenge during Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence in 2025.
An optimistic Marape added that by 2028 PNG should have a positive answer from the National Rugby League competition in Australia.
“I want to appreciate the Australian Government for their support. We hope to see our own team play in the NRL hopefully in 2028 onwards,” Marape said.
Representing the Government of Australia was Pat Conroy Minister for Defence Industry & Capability Delivery who he is also the Minister for International Development and the Pacific.
Sharing similar views with Marape is also positive about the ongoing discussions for Papua New Guinea to enter the NRL.
He said rugby league was a key factor in uniting the two nations in the Pacific.
Conroy said the spinoff from a successful NRL Bid will bring more development and job opportunities for Papua New Guineans in PNG and in Australia as well.
“Like Prime Minister Marape I am very optimistic we have reached an agreement with the fundamentals, just the final details but I am very confident we are going to get there and nothing will bring our two countries closer together.
“More PNG players in the NRL will be an awesome thing and I think in the years to come a PNG team will rival Penrith for dominating the competition,” Conroy said.
Related stories: Kumuls Focus on Defense, Elsie Albert leads Womens PM’s XIII side, Brendon Ready for PM’s XIII Challenge.
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