Australian PM's XIII overcome PNG

jamesgould

jamesgould

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Staff member
Admin
Big match up today, hopefully Gidley has a blinder and plays himself into the test team. Not sure what time it starts or anything, but hopefully there's an article about it!
 
Oh yeah, the sides:

Australia:
1. Kurt Gidley
2. Ben Pomeroy
3. Mark Gasnier (c)
4. Joel Monaghan
5. Chris Lawrence
6. Greg Bird
7. Scott Prince
8. David Shillington
9. Lincoln Withers
10. Luke Douglas
11. Anthony Tupou
12. Paul Gallen
13. Braith Anasta

14. Dean Widders
15. David Myles
16. Sam Thaiday
17. Brett Delaney

Coach: Mal Meninga

Papua New Guinea squad: Paul Aiton, Menzie Yere, Benjamin John, Charlie Wabo, Dustr Mokley, Eki Ene, Francis Ray, George Moni, Gimapau Keimelo, Jessie Joe, Johnson Kuike, Joseph Omae, Keith Peters, Larsen Marabe, Michael Mark, Tu Maori, Nickson Kolo, Nigel Hukula, Niko Slain, Porian Bal, Rodney Pora. Coach: Adrian Lam

Meninga furious over 'injuries'

Greg Davis
September 23, 2007

KANGAROO legend Mal Meninga has savaged some of the NRL's elite for failing to respect the Australian jersey.

Meninga will coach the Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby today and has taken aim at the stars who have turned their backs on the international fixture.

The PM's XIII has been ravaged by withdrawals, with six players from the original squad pulling out of the tour.

Broncos duo Tonie Carroll (elbow) and Steve Michaels (illness) joined the star-studded quartet of Robbie Farah (hip), Steve Simpson (knee), Craig Fitzgibbon (ankle/finger) and Craig Wing (knee) as no-shows.

Wing is understood to have embarked on a surfing holiday since shunning the trip that doubles as an ARL-Federal Government joint promotion to combat violence against women, AIDS and HIV in PNG.

Meninga, the Australian record holder for most Tests, most Test points and most Kangaroos tours, could not hide his disgust.

"The disappointing thing for me is the guys who have pulled out of playing in the green and gold jersey," Meninga told The Sunday Mail.

"Guys pulling out just doesn't pay it enough respect.

"It is a special mission that we will be undertaking up there and the Prime Minister puts his name to it so it's an important event on the rugby league calendar.

"If it was an Australian Test side would they play? I think they don't place enough importance on the jersey.

"It's a great chance for them to represent their country. They should be cherishing that opportunity."

Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr took a swipe at the Broncos for the late withdrawal of Carroll and Michaels.

Carroll was booked in for immediate surgery on his elbow after Brisbane's medical review while Michaels was almost admitted to hospital with a bout of pneumonia.

Brisbane chief executive officer Bruno Cullen strongly defended the club's significant contribution to representative football, saying both withdrawals were legitimate.

The PM's XIII side is chosen from players not involved in the finals.

Meninga said the fixture, now in its third year, was the perfect opportunity for Test hopefuls to push their case ahead of the October 14 clash with New Zealand in Wellington.

"There's a number of players in the side that are in with a chance of playing against the Kiwis and this is a great opportunity for them to keep their match fitness up and get in some sort of form," he said.

Meninga said he was passionate about the causes the tour promotes.

This weekend's trip is his third as the PM's XIII coach and he said the players would serve an important community service.

"Rugby league is almost a religion up there and the message that the current players can deliver about these important issues can have a very strong impact," he said.

From: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22465307-10389,00.html
Click to expand...
 
Gasnier as captain? Thats a bit of a suprise. Would've expected Prince to be captain.

Yeah, hopefully the boys come out with a big win. Will we be able to get highlights for this game?
 
Untitled23 said:
Gasnier as captain? Thats a bit of a suprise. Would've expected Prince to be captain.

Yeah, hopefully the boys come out with a big win. Will we be able to get highlights for this game?
Click to expand...

Nah, it's never been televised. The only chance of seeing anything at all from it is if the Footy Show shows a few clips on Thursday.
 
Kumuls shock PM's XI

September 23, 2007

A SURGING Papua New Guinea has stolen a shock 24-24 draw against the visiting Australian Prime Minister's XIII in their match at Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby.

Australia had dominated early, scoring four first-half tries to lead 20-0 at half-time, and added another shortly the break.

But the Kumuls, who rallied late in the first half but were unable to score, came storming back with four tries in the second half.

Two of Papua New Guinea's second-half tries came from sharp pick-ups of loose balls on the Australian tryline.

Roosters centre Joel Monaghan and Wests Tigers' Chris Lawrence both scored doubles for the Australians, while Sharks prop Luke Douglas also bagged a try.

Newcastle fullback Kurt Gidley kicked two goals from of five attempts
Click to expand...
 
:shock: Shocking. To draw from 20 nil at halftime is hard to believe.

Why didn't they go into golden point?
 
Well done PNG! Great result for international league!

These were all local players for PNG as well, apart from Aiton from Penrith, and one other. Unlike other years when they have had quite a few overseas players.
 
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