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PNG Prime Ministers 13 Men to Focus on Defense

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The Prime Ministers 13 fixture for 2024 is set for Sunday the 13th of October, the teams from Australia arrived on Friday (11/10/24) in Port Moresby for Sundays matches.

Papua New Guinea still has about 20 spots to fill in the PNG LNG Kumuls Pacific Championships side and will be using the Prime Ministers 13 as the final showcase to decide a team for the National side that will take on the Fiji Bati in Suva on the 19th of October.

Australia has a relatively young side in this year’s PMs 13, but all their players are emerging future Kangaroos in the NRL competition.

Papua New Guinea on the other hand has a bulk of it’s players from the Queensland Cup Competition with additions from the Super League and the Digicel Exxon Mobil Cup.

Australia has always come out on top in the PMs 13 fixtures, always the winners over the past years. PNG has only a draw with Australia in a 24 all scoreline in 2007.

PNGs new Coach Jason Demetriou has shifted focus for the team on defense, adding that they need to work on stopping the Australians from scoring.

“There is a few things we have worked on in and around our defense we want to put some practice into that before we go to Fiji for the Pacific Test,” Demetriou said

Demetriou has picked a team that is dynamic and can score points, with a couple of breakout stars in the Queensland Cup such as try scoring sensation Dudley Dotoi of the Townsville Blackhawks.

“Like I told the boys we will get tested by a quality side from Australia, I know we can score points but we will have to work on our defense.” Demetriou added.

Australian PMs 13 Coach Brad Fittler says the opportunity to represent their country is the highlight for most of the players in his camp, most of the players are just starting out their careers in the NRL.

“The one thing I have noticed picking this teams is the immense talent and potential they have, It is a long process to pick a side and the NRL season is a long season, but the players show a lot of enthusiasm and they will be a great team to challenge the PNG Prime Ministers 13,” Fittler said.

He added that the players are excited for the match. Fittler has encouraged his team to take the match as a stepping stone towards a Kangaroos jersey.

“I think anytime these players get a chance to get selected and improve, they get the chance to wear the Australian Jersey and play along side some of their idols like Damian Cook. I think its very important to them.

“A lot of these players are at the start of their careers and let alone representative careers.
This is a stepping stone to hopefully be the team that are playing in the Pacific Championships in the future. It’s up to the players to see this as the challenge and stepping stone,” Fittler adds.

After the PMs 13 clash, the focus for Jason Demetriou will shift to the Kumuls side, in preparation for the Pacific Championships.

Only 10 players will leave early for Fiji while the rest of the team will be made up of players from the Prime Ministers 13.

“Every player that goes out on Sunday will have the opportunity to present themselves and put their name forward for the Pacific Championships.

“Its such a strong feeling to give the guys the opportunity to put on the jumper to represent their country. There is so much emotion from some of the guys that will be playing in this game on Sunday, it is a privilege to present that opportunity to them,” Demetriou said.

Read More: insidepng.com

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Demetriou’s appointment a crucial step in PNG’s NRL bid

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Papua New Guinea rugby league bosses believe hiring Jason Demetriou as coach of the national team is a “really positive” step on the path to inclusion in the NRL.

Demetriou will take charge of the Kumuls for the Pacific Championships in October, his first coaching job since being axed as South Sydney’s head coach in April.

The appointment comes as an Australian government-backed bid from Papua New Guinea firms as the likeliest candidate for the NRL’s 19th license, set to be granted in 2028.

“Everything we are doing is in preparation for becoming an NRL team and we believe Jason’s appointment is another really positive step towards that goal,” said PNG NRL bid chief executive, Andrew Hill.

“Having someone of Jason’s standing in the game take on the Kumuls head coaching role is another great step towards becoming part of the NRL.”

Off the side headshot of Rabbitohs head coach, Jason Demetriou. Wide-eyed Caucasian man with brown hair and stubby nose.
Rabbitohs head coach, Jason Demetriou speaks to media during the post match press conference following the NRL Round 3 match between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Friday, March 22, 2024. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Demetriou could remain in charge for the 2026 World Cup, by which time the prospective franchise’s preparations for entry into the NRL would be in full swing.

“We are interested in building a long-term relationship with Jason leading up to the 2026 RLWC and have been in talks with Jason and are looking forward to finalizing this soon,” said PNGRFL chief executive Stanley Hondina.

Souths fired Demetriou following a 1-6 start to the 2024 season and the side’s capitulation from finals contention the previous year, when they had led the premiership through 11 rounds.

The 48-year-old’s coaching tenure became dogged by suggestions he struggled to manage the bigger personalities on the roster, tensions which contributed to club legend Sam Burgess’ abrupt exit from the coaching staff in 2023.

Demetriou had previously been Wayne Bennett’s protege at Brisbane and then Souths, taking over from the master coach in 2022 and leading the Rabbitohs to a preliminary final that year.

He has also held assistant coaching roles at St George Illawarra and North Queensland, including during the Cowboys’ drought-breaking 2015 premiership season.

As a player, he spent his entire career in the United Kingdom. He is currently working as a commentator for radio station Triple M.

Demetriou noted he was “excited about what lies ahead” with Papua New Guinea, who count Justin Olam, Alex Johnston and Jack de Belin among their NRL talents.

“The game in PNG is going from strength to strength and it is a fantastic opportunity to work with such a talented squad,” said Demetriou.

“I have watched the team with interest in recent years and they have a passion for the game that shows itself every time they pull on the Kumuls jersey and represent their country.

“I know that a tremendous amount of work is being done at school and academy level to help prepare the next generation of players and I’m incredibly excited to be able to work off the back of that with the senior team.

“It is a great time to be involved in the game in this country.”

Written by: Jasper Bruce_AAP ©

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Rugby League

PNG Kumuls are Pacific Championship Bowl Champions

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Kumuls Win Final

The PNG Kumuls have done it, they are the Bowl Champions in the Pacific Championship.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo was there to witness the triumph of the Kumuls. He along with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape watched closely as the Kumuls redeemed themselves of last weeks flogging.

Picture by NRL

The presence of CEO Andrew Abdo being here is a positive for PNG’s NRL Bid.

Picture by NRL

PNG Kumuls

Picture by NRL

PNG managed a 32 points to 12 Victory over the Fiji Bati side.

PNG managed five tries in total to redeem themselves of last weeks devastating loss to Fiji Bati.

Edwin Ipape was awarded the man of the match. He made a complete turn around from last weeks performance for the Kumuls.

Robert Derby the 21 year old Kumuls winger also grabbed a double, two tries as PNG leaped into the lead at 26-0 at halftime.

Fiji came back in the second half determined to score. They did score two tries but PNG managed to defend their try line for majority of the match with Epel Kapinias scoring the only try in the second half to close the score 32 points to 12.

Kumuls Coach Justin Holbrook was impressed with the turnaround from the Kumuls and it showed the passion from the side.

Picture by NRL

Big Dan Russell taking a hit up as Fiji Bati’s Kurt Donoghoe attempts the tackle.

“Obviously we did a good job early in the match. We turned them back and managed to score big in the first half. We conceded in the seconded half but we hung in there quite a bit in the second half and we managed to win,” Holbrook said

PNG Kumuls Captain Kyle Laybutt raises the Pacific Championship Bowl as PNG Prime Minister James Marape looks on.
(Picture by NRL)

The Captain of the Kumuls, Kyle Laybutt, was also impressed with the team.

“Extremely happy for the boys we turned it around from last week to this week a massive improvement,” Kyle Laybutt said.

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Rugby League

Putt, Horne and Rop Back Against Fiji Bati

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Kumuls Final

PNG Kumuls Coach Justin Holbrook has picked his strongest side to take on the Fiji Bati in the Pacific Championship Bowl final.

Holbrook is looking for aggression and versatility off the bench. Opting to bring back Nixon Putt, Liam Horne and Junior Rop back into the side.

“Junior Rop is strong and aggressive, Nixon Putt has a tireless work rate and Liam Horne has the versatility. And he can gain meters up the ruck and is also great at lock,” Holbrook said

Holbrook said he wasn’t at all disappointed with individuals in the team. But these three deserved their spot in the final side.

“I wanted to give everyone a game. Especially to the guys that came down from England. I have been impressed by Nixon Putt, Junior Rop and Liam Horne. [I} wasn’t really unhappy with any individual performance, I was just unhappy with how collectively the team played. But these players, they deserve a call up. They were pretty good in the games they played in,” Holbrook said.

PNG Kumuls Coach Justin Holbrook admitted that the team needs to discipline themselves in defense. One area of concern was PNG allowing Fiji to pick up speed off the ruck.

Edwin Ipape was poised to be a game changer for the Kumuls but it turned out to be quite different. The Coach said Ipape needed to familiarize himself with conditions and hopes this week he can make a difference.

“Edwin needed a run to be honest. He didn’t play for a month and he was on the other side of the world in different conditions, and Fiji didn’t give us any real opportunity.

“We have had a look at the video. And we have a number of areas we have to work on and improve on them and execute them this weekend,” Holbrook said.

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Rugby League

Passion to Represent PNG

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PM's XIII

It’s about passion and putting your body on the line. That pretty much summed up what senior player Nene Macdonald and Prop Forward Valentine Culligan had to say about today’s PM’s XIII match.

Both players are part of an underdog PNG Prime Ministers XIII en route for a showdown with a star studded Australian PM’s XIII side that are favorites to dominate the match.

With overwhelming odds against them they look to the basics in rugby league and the passion they share to represent PNG in the sport of rugby league.

Nene Macdonald first represented PNG in 2013 and this time around, he is one of the senior players that are pushing the debutants to give their all against the Aussies.

Nene Macdonald

A senior player no doubt he will be pivotal in attack and defense. He says the same passion that he had years ago is present in the debutants and knows they can give a good challenge to their opponents.

“I remember putting on the jersey in 2013 and coming out to the crowd. The atmosphere was great seeing everyone in the crowd cheering, a very emotional moment and very proud moment for me and my family,” Macdonald said.

The passion that PNG has is always ambient around the team. Especially in the presence of former Kumul players, most of which, are part of the Coaching staff. Former Kumuls like Paul Aiton and John Wilshere among others, continue to strengthen the next crop of Kumuls to come.

“For us the passion has been our strongest weapon for the fight. I will always be proud of being a Papua New Guinean. It’s been almost five years since I came back to PNG and it’s great to be back.

“Putting past players into the team as staff, they know what it’s like to put that jersey on. I think for us when you put that Kumul Jersey on. It’s a bit different than playing for another country. We work so hard and it’s a big dream for many young Papua New Guineans playing for the national team,” Macdonald added

PNG’s Prime Minister’s XIII side in training.

It will be tough and the PNG boys are up against the might of Australia’s PM’s XIII. It can be intimidating but Prop forward Valentine Culligan is up for the cause. Players like Tino Fa’asuamaleaui pose the biggest threat in the forwards, but Valentine is not shaken, and is ready for the battle.

He added that they have to keep it simple and bring on the aggression. He is ready to go all out in this encounter.

“We will be keeping it simple. We have to run hard and tackle hard and keep the errors to a minimum. It will be tough but like I said, I’ll put my body on the line to try my best and keep giving my best.”

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Tepend Clears Air on Segeyaro

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Kumuls Coach Stanley Tepend has cleared the air on rejected Kumuls Hooker James Segeyaro saying the reason for him missing out on selection was based on the current form of players that can cover the hooker and utility position in the 24-man squad.  

Tepend said it is important for the Kumuls to build a winning combination from the Pacific Test and it was important to pick the best team for the World Cup.

“We can only pick limited players in certain positions,”

“As a team, I think we’ve picked the best that we can considering the factors, injuries and all those sorts of stuff,” Tepend said.

A dejected Segeyaro took to social media last week after Tepend told him he would not be part of the Kumuls World Cup campaign.

“I felt like I had done enough to make the side. Fighting back into an NRL system, being fortunate enough to play for Manly this year alongside some of the best in the game and spend the full season playing my heart out for Blackdown,” Segeyaro said in an Instagram post.

PNG fans also took to social media, calling on the PNGRFL to reconsider the decision on Segeyaro saying his experience is what the Kumuls need for the tournament.

This is not the first controversial selection case for Segeyaro. In 2015, Segeyaro said in a TV interview that he would never play for the Kumuls again after he claimed his father, the late Iffysoe Segeyaro was not given the respect he deserved from PNG Rugby League.

However, he would make amends and won back the support from PNG when he starred in the 2017 World Cup. Since then, off-field incidents have kept him out of the NRL until this year when he was called in to play for Manly in Round 20.

Coach Tepend says there will always be respect for James Segeyaro and what he has done for the Kumuls jersey, adding Segeyaro will be considered for future representative duties.

“We haven’t closed the door on James for future games,”

“We respect him and what he’s done for Kumuls in the past,” Tepend said.

Meanwhile, Betfred Champions Player of the Year, Edwin Ipape, is expected to wear the number 9 jersey when the Kumuls take on 2nd placed Tonga on the 19th.

Ipape finished off a wonderful season, helping his team to a victory in the Betfred Champions Grand-Final and securing a spot in the Super League.

Hunters Hooker Wesser Tenza on the other hand has been consistent in the Hostplus Cup for the PNG Hunters, however, Watson Boas will most likely fill the utility role.

“It sucks, I’m disappointed – gutted actually. But I’m still going to be cheering for the boys from home nonetheless,” Segeyaro said.

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Rugby League

Kumuls World Cup Squad Announced

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Kumuls Coach Stanley Tepend has named his 24-man squad to travel to the United Kingdom this Friday ahead of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.

The 24-man squad has 7 players from the 2017 World Cup, who will add the needed experience when PNG takes on Tonga, who is currently ranked 2nd in the Rugby League World.

Coach Tepend says confidence is high heading into the World Cup because of the in-form players they have on the roster.

Alex Johnston is a certain start at fullback with high-flying Xavier Coats and speed man Jimmy Ngutlik on the wings. The centre pairing of Justin Olam and Nene McDonald will be a strike weapon for the Kumuls.

Following the success of the Pacific Test, Coach Tepend will likely stick to Lachlan Lam and Kyle Laybutt to steer the attack with Watson Boas as the backup. Edwin Ipape and Wesser Tenza will share the dummy-half duties while Dan Russel, Nixon Putt, McKenzie Yei and Wellington Albert to lead the forward pack.

With the Australian-based players arriving last Saturday in Port Moresby, the team will link up with the UK-based players before their opening pool match on the 19th.

Rhyse Martin is likely to be named Captain.

The 24-Man PNG Kumuls Squad;

Wellington Albert (London Broncos)

Jacob Alick (Gold Coast Titans)

Kevin Appo (PNG Hunters)

Watson Boas (Doncaster)

Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)

Edene Gebbie (Townsville Blackhawks)

Edwin Ipape (Leigh Centurions)

Zev John (CQ Capras)

Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Lachlan Lam (Leigh Centurions)

Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks)

Nene McDonald (Leigh Centurions)

Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos)

Sylvester Namo (PNG Hunters)

Jimmy Ngutlik (Western Suburbs Magpies)

Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm)

Nixon Putt (CQ Capras)

Daniel Russel (Brisbane Tigers)

Jeremiah Simbiken (Redcliffe Dolphins)

Rodrick Tai (PNG Hunters)

Sherwin Tanabi (PNG Hunters)

Wesser Tenza (PNG Hunters)

Emmanuel Waine (PNG Hunters)

McKenzie Yei (CQ Capras)  

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