THE National Rugby League (NRL) is continuing its Pacific programmes with the league now using social media to run its activities in Papua New Guinea during the Covid-19 pandemic.
NRL government and community relations head Jaymes Boland-Rudder said key programmes such as “League Bilong Laif” (league for life) were now delivered to participants through online videos. “The majority of our programmes are based around face-to-face sessions with large groups of people in schools and communities,” he said. “As Covid-19 restrictions started to take effect, we realised our mode of delivery would not be possible. PAPUA New Guinea and Leeds Rhinos forward Wellington Albert says consistency in the Kumuls line-up has allowed the national men’s rugby league team to make significant progress in recent years. Albert told The National that the current crop of Kumuls had always dreamt of beating heavyweights Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and Tonga. TOWNSVILLE Blackhawks recruit Moses Meninga says he is eager to learn from his senior teammates while pushing for a National Rugby League (NRL) spot at the North Queensland Cowboys feeder club. The Blackhawks are not short of NRL experience with Josh Hoffman (Parramatta Eels, Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos), Patrick Kaufusi (Cowboys, Melbourne Storm and St George Illawarra Dragons) and Sione Lousi (New Zealand Warriors) bolstering the side. Papua New Guinea Kumuls playmaker Kyle Laybutt is also another player with NRL experience, having made two appearances for the Cowboys. Kumuls forward Meninga told The National last week that the Queensland Intrust Super Cup club had a clear pathway to the NRL. RHYSE Martin says being captain of the Papua New Guinea Kumuls is not an easy task but the former Canterbury Bulldog insists he is relishing the challenge. In an interview on Fulltime Reserve with Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chairman Tsandis Tsaka on Friday, the 27-year-old said being named as captain in October came as a surprise. PAPUA New Guinea Kumul Kyle Laybutt wants a shot at next year’s Rugby League World Cup after missing out on the 2017 tournament due to his commitment with North Queensland. The Blackhawks playmaker, who was contracted to the Cowboys from 2017-2018, told The National from Townsville last week that he was training at home despite the Queensland Intrust Super Cup season cancellation. “I’m keeping fit as I want to be available for selection for the end-of-year tests,” the 24-year-old said. SECURING a first-grade contract in 2020 is the primary goal for Cronulla Sharks squad member Connor Luhan but the 20-year-old also would not mind snaring a Kumuls jersey. With a Rugby League World Cup coming up in a little under 19 months in the United Kingdom, the prop said he was interested in playing for the country his father Ross was born in. “Apart from securing a contract (with Cronulla), getting a debut in the NRL would always be a dream as well as playing for the Kumuls,” Luhan said. “Ever since I was young, I knew my dad, his brothers and my granny were born here (PNG). “I’m really proud of my father’s side, and the culture and heritage they share. I’m just looking forward to playing well and getting a chance.” INTERNATIONAL rugby league could come to Enga this year if Governor Sir Peter Ipatas wins a bid to host a Pacific Cup Test between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. The Kiwi men’s and women’s teams are scheduled to tour the country in November and Sir Peter is keen to stage one of the fixtures at Wabag’s Aipus Oval. The venue has already hosted a team from outside PNG when the SP PNG Hunters played the Easts Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup’s Country Round last year. FORMER Kumul prop Rodney Pora says the late George Moni was one of the most talented front-rowers he had the privilege of playing with and was shocked and saddened by his death. Pora, who played alongside Moni in eight tests told The National on Monday his fellow Kumul’s death was a great loss for his immediate family the rugby league community. Moni, who is officially listed as Kumul No.216, died in Mt Hagen Hospita last Wednesday after a short illness. “He was a humble character who didn’t talk much but you gave him the rugby ball and he showed what he was made of on the field,” Pora said of the man he considered a close friend. Pora said one of the highlights of his career was when they both helped the Mendi Muruks and Agmark Gurias win premierships. THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and the rugby league community around the country are saddened by the news of the passing of Kumuls great David Noifa. Noifa, aged 56, died at his Warala village in Banz, Jiwaka, on Sunday after a short illness. PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said Noifa debuted as Kumul No.80 as a centre against New Zealand in Auckland on Oct 2, 1983.e. PNG Rugby Football League Chairman Sandis Tsaka today announced the appointment of Matthew Church as the new Head Coach of the SP PNG Hunters. “The PNGRFL Board has endorsed the appointment of Matthew Church to be the SP Hunters Head Coach for the next two years effective immediately,” Tsaka said. He said 14 applications were received including three from PNG. |
Papua New Guinea Kumuls Breaking News & Match Reports and highligntsRugby League News by CategoryBringing all the latest rugby league news in PNG. If you want to contribute to this site with articles relating to sports please contact us here World CupPM'S XIIIDowner Rugby League 9s World Cup- PNG Kumuls 0 Australia 26
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2019 - Fiji Bati 22 PNG Kumuls 20 2019 - PNG Kumls 6 Samoa 24 2018 - PNG Kumuls 26 Fiji Bati 14 2017 - PNG Kumuls 32 Cook Islands 22 2016 - PNG Kumuls 24 Fiji Bati 22 2015- Fiji Bati 22 PNG Kumuls 22 World Cup Results
Round 1 : PNG Kumuls 50 Wales 6 Round 2: PNG Kumuls 14 Ireland 6 Round 3 PNG Kumuls 64 USA 0 Quarter Finals : PNG Kumuls 6 England 36
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