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Kumuls have Second Chance

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Kumuls Second Chance

The PNG Kumuls have a second chance to make good on their mistakes against the Fiji Bati.

This Sunday the 5th of November will see the final of the Pacific Championship Bowl Challenge between PNG and Fiji.

It was a wake up call for the PNG Kumuls after a dismal performance against Fiji Bati, a 43 points to 16 flogging, a seven tries to three victory over the home side as PNG fans were left devastated.

Kumuls Coach Justin Holbrook had nothing much to say but apologised to fans that turned up in droves.

A crowd of 14,300 plus filled the stadium but as the game progressed it was the Fijians in the crowd that were in a frenzy with blue flags flying high amongst the crowd.

The Kumuls fans even started leaving with 20 minutes to go before full time.

On the field it was a team in turmoil with the Kumuls on the back foot with the Fijians hightailing it up the middle. The fast play off the ruck proved too quick for PNG as they struggled to keep up with the Fijians pace.

Despite the Fijians surge up the middle, Kumuls lock forward Jack Dibelin was a machine in defense.

Judah Rimbu offered a spark of flare in the last 30minutes when he came on even setting up a try for Epel Kapinias.

There was no one to be blamed but themselves and the Kumuls learnt that the hard way. Fiji were better prepared with Captain Tui Kamikamica praising the teams effort during the week.

He said they were focused on controlling the game off the ruck and managed to subdue the PNG attack and keep them on the back foot.

Fiji Coach Waisake Kativerata says he knows what the team is capable of and the Fiji Bati side is a wealth of talent. The Coach pointed out that with a combination of skill, natural born talent and hard work, they have a strong side that will make sure they give their best in the final on Sunday.

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Fiji Bati Anticipating a Forwards Battle

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Fiji Bati

Fiji Boasts a star studded NRL backline and a forward pack that devastated the Cook Islands last week. The Batis blooded 9 players in the team against the Cooks and Coach Waisake Kativerata says they are not here to make the numbers but to score points.

Fiji Bati captain Tui Kamikamica says to win they need to put pressure on the PNG forwards and use offloads to create scoring opportunities.

Fiji’s backline of Maika Sivo, Mikaele Ravalawa, Sunia Turuva, Waqa Blake and Jahream Bula last week combined a total run meters of 869 meters amongst themselves and a total of 19 tackle breaks.

Considering the Cook Islanders were short of few players down with injury, the Fijians young forward pack managed to out muscle the Cooks up the middle.

In the end Fiji Bati were left with minor bruises while the Cooks were winded by the Fijians.

Fiji Bati were slow to gel as a team, with the coach attributing to the fact that the team was only in camp for a week. But the team did manage to pick up in the second half. It was 6-4 in favor of Cook Islands at half time, but it was Fiji who pulled together in the second half and with five minutes on the clock.

Panthers premiership winning winger Sunia Turuva scored the match winner to snatch the win 22-18.

Fiji Coach Waisake Kativerata said that it’s a privilege to make his coaching debut in PNG where the crowds are mad rugby league supporters. He praised the fans for knowing the players well and he added the support was immense for the Fiji players.

But he knows PNG has a strong support at home and they always lift the team to go above and beyond and that goes for the teams forward pack as well. Kativerata commended PNG for having depth up the middle.

“PNG has a good power play up the middle. If we can control the ruck properly it will be to our advantage. We have a lot of Fijian supporters in PNG. They know Sivo and the other NRL players.
“It’s a young team, and this game will help us a lot we are not here to make up the numbers we can score points to win,” Kativerata said.

It’s no secret that PNG have a strong defense and Captain Tui Kamikamica is no stranger to the Kumuls defense and knows the only way to win is to control the game at the rucks and up the middle.

“We just need to be physical in the ruck, we get a bit of momentum in the middle we can lead to offloads, it’s a learning curve. A lot of young guys playing in the team. We need to learn from our mistakes and to play with PNG we have to be physical,” Kamikamica said.

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Edwin Ipape: Every time I wear the Kumul Jersey I Do Not Take it for Granted

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Edwin Ipape

Edwin Ipape headlines a number of key changes to the Kumuls side that will take on Fiji Bati this weekend. Edwin was passionate during an interview and says he never takes the Kumuls jumper for granted.

“Every time I wear the Kumuls Jersey I do not take it for granted and I play to the best of my ability to get the win,” Edwin Ipape said.

He has the passion for the Kumuls and remembers always longing to be in that jumper as a young Papua New Guinean playing backyard footy.

“It means everything as a young man growing up I always dreamed of being a Kumul it is the pinnacle of Papua New Guinea rugby league. I always picked up the ball and commentated myself running a play.

“I remember watching all the Kumuls legends during my time, Larsen Marabe, Dion Aiye and the list goes on. When Kumuls lose I get very disappointed but we love the Kumuls, and we strive to produce the best.”

Justin Holbrook, PNG Kumuls Coach has confirmed that Ipape will be the starting hooker against the Fiji Bati. This pushes Judah Rimbu to the bench and Liam Horne to the extended bench. Edwin forms a very strong spine, with Lachlan Lam and Kyle Laybutt in the halves and Alex Johnston at fullback. The Kumuls spine will be of great importance in keeping the game in control, against a Fiji side that has a NRL star-studded backline and a forward pack that looks to dominate up the middle.

Ipapes team mate at Leigh Leopards Lachlan Lam will be instrumental with Edwin to rekindle their collaboration at their club.

“We all know what Lachlan Lam is like when he puts on the Kumuls Jersey. He is a very competitive young man when he puts on the jersey,” Ipape said.

The inclusion of Rhys Martin, Wellington Albert, and Kevin Appo has caused changes to the side. With Nixon Putt, Junior Rop and Liam Horn moved to the extended bench.

Benji Kot will replace Rodrick Tai at center; Tai has suffered a knee injury and has been sidelined. While Mekenzie Yei is also with injury.

Despite Fiji boasting a heavier pack and a NRL star studded line up in the backs, PNG continues to excel at home with a more that rousing home crowd. No doubt PNG will lift in their performance.

Wellington Albert is coming off a Betfred Championship win with the London Broncos and is not going to take the Fijians lightly. He is pumped and was very feisty and upbeat at training on Monday. He acknowledged the long standing Melanesian rivalry in rugby league. Adding that PNG has the size and tenacity to match the Fijians.

“Fijians are big and strong, same as the Kumuls. They have more NRL based players unlike us. They got big boys and we also have big boys,” Albert said with smile.

Coach Justin Holbrook says he will be re-assessing the team after the game and picking the best team for the final.

“Fiji is really strong on the outside backs, they got speed. We played very well against the Cook Islanders this time around. We just need to make sure we get our game right. The combinations are coming out well. Kyle and Lam in the halves combination doing well. Hope everyone can get behind us this Sunday in front of a sellout crowd,” Holbrook said.

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Nene Macdonald Lifeblood in Kumuls Camp

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Nene Macdonald

Nene Macdonald has been described as a leader in the Kumuls camp by Coach Justin Holbrook. The Kumuls finisher racked up to 214 run meters the highest in the match, five tackle breaks and two line breaks yesterday against the Cook Islands, a gutsy show of leadership.

Four try hero Nene Macdonald was out of football for an extended period. Due to paternity leave and recently severed ties with his club the Leeds Rhions. But amidst the controversy he was selected for the PM’s XIII challenge and ultimately to the Kumuls and yesterday scored four tries against the Cook Islands.

Kumuls Coach Justin Holbrook said Nene seemingly is like the lifeblood of the team. He says Nene has been a leader in camp and has much to offer. Holbrook couldn’t pass the opportunity to have Nene on the team and his decision has been rewarded with Nenes performance on Sunday.

“Nene loves playing for the Kumuls you know. The minute he steps into camp he is one of the leaders. He gets everyone together, he makes sure there is a good environment.

“I keep reminding him train hard and play well. He just loves being back home in PNG with everyone like that. It makes for a good environment.

The PNG Kumuls have put themselves as favorites on home soil for the Pacific Championships Bowl Challenge with a convincing win over Cook Islands 46-10, but they will face their toughest opponent the Fiji Bati.

PNG is currently ranked 6th, while Fiji is ranked 7th according to International Rugby League rankings. Fiji take on the Cook Islands this weekend. While PNG will be on bye and face Melanesian rivals Fiji on the 29th of October 2023.

Despite Cook Islands best efforts in the second half, PNG managed to dominate the score board. Coach Justin Holbrook said they overcame the challenge of Cook Islands but he feels the biggest challenge they face is Fiji.

“We had a big lead obviously and it was tough conditions, and we were good enough to come out with a win.

“Some of these players hadn’t played footy in a while and it’s great to have a hit out and we really enjoyed it.

“Yes we have to be more consistent, Fiji obviously is a stronger side and we know that we had discussed that as a team, it’s just the first game but we will work hard on finishing the game a lot better,” Holbrook said.

With Edwin Ipape, Rhys Martin and Wellington Albert yet to arrive in Port Moresby Holbrook will be making some tough calls to the lineup.

“It will be a tough decision for me in a couple of weeks’ time against Fiji. Knowing the quality of the depth of players we have in our camp. Ultimately that’s what we want. To have a big pool of players to choose from,” Holbrook said.

PNG ran in nine tries in a dominant performance against a woeful Cook Islands side, that were battered early on. Managing to pick up their game in the second half to score two tries.

PNG managed to capitalize on the Cook Islanders poor defensive effort, with winger Nene Macdonald scouring four, while Zac Lybutt on debut, bagged himself two tries. Epel Kapinias, Valentine Richard and Robert Derby each scored a try as well.

Zack Laybutt with the boot managed to convert 5 from 10 conversion attempts.

Kumuls Coach, Justin Holbrook, was impressed with the team’s performance. The Kumuls led 30 – 0 at halftime but struggled to maintain their barnstorming effort in the first half. The Cooks managed to take advantage of the Kumuls downtime scoring two tries to Esom Ioka and Steven Masters.

The game ended with PNG coming out winners 46 to 10.

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PM’s XIII 2023 to Include Junior Matches

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The infamous Prime Minister’s XIII rugby match between PNG Kumuls and Australian Kangeroos is expected to see Junior Kumuls and Junior Orchids taking on Australian school boys and girls in the two days of the rugby tournament.

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) announced twelve teams will participate when the games are held in Port Moresby later this month.

PNGRFL CEO, Stanley Hondina, said the PNGRFL were delighted to see the game back in PNG after 5 years, and fans will be treated to a massive weekend of rugby league come the 23rd and 24th of September.

“For the first time in the history of the PM’s XIII matches, there will be 12 teams playing 6 games over 2 days, something that’s never been done before and we look forward to welcoming all our fans over the two days.” said Hondina.

The PM’s XIII concept is an initiative of both the PNG and Australian governments and since 2005, the matches were one event most Port Moresby residents look forward to annually.

The drawcard matches are on Saturday 23 September, while on Sunday 24th September, the fans will be treated to the up-and- coming stars of our game going head-to-head, with the Defence Men the final match of the day.

For ticket purchasing the ticket prices are priced accordingly and keeping in mind that the prices are consistent with the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and the 2019 Great Britain Lions Tour to PNG.

While the Corporate Boxes have all been allocated to the Game’s major sponsors and dignitaries, there are still opportunities for individuals and companies to be a part of a weekend of world class rugby league.

The schedule for the weekend is as follows;

  • Saturday 23rd September 2023
  • 12pm: Defence Women – PNGDF Vs ADF
  • 2pm: PM’s XIII Women
  • 4pm: PM’s XIII Men
  • Sunday 24th September 2023
  • 12pm: Junior Orchids Vs Australian School -Girls
  • 2pm: Junior Kumuls Vs Australia School Boys
  • 4pm: Defence Men – PNGDF Vs ADF

The ticket prices are as follows;

Saturday 23rd September 2023 Stands;

  • Grandstand K120
  • Western Wings K80
  • Eastern Stand K50
  • North & South K30

And Sunday 24th September 2023 Stands;
Grandstand K40
Western Wings K25
Eastern Stand K15
North & South K10

Tickets are on sale now from 6pm today Online at Tiketmastas.com, or you can buy over-the- counter this Friday at at selective normal outlets including;

  • Brian Bell Boroko
  • J-Mart Erima
  • Cool Stuff Rangeview

All games will be held at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

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