Papua New Guinea put rivals on notice with stunning win over Fiji
Papua New Guinea have sent captain David Mead out as a winner while putting their World Cup rivals on notice after defeating Fiji 24-14 in a high-quality Pacific Test.
A physical battle unfolded in the sides’ first Test match since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but PNG’s steely goal-line defence and ability to make the most of limited opportunities proved the difference.
Mead announced his decision to retire from international duties earlier this week and when Lachlan Lam sent him over for a try after breaking the line in the 66th minute, PNG closed in on victory.
“The coaching staff and all the players have made it a special week for me and my family and to top it off with a win is a huge bonus,” Mead said.
The win would also have added weight to Papua New Guinea’s bid for the NRL’s 18th licence.
Planning is still in the early stages but one thing is for certain – PNG brought enough talent and intensity to the contest to suggest they could compete with an NRL side.
Both nations also look ready to make an impact at this year’s World Cup, which begins in October.
While there has been plenty of discussion about Tonga’s ability to upset the three tier one nations in Australia, New Zealand and England, Saturday night’s game at Campbelltown Sports Stadium will also give Fiji and PNG reason to dream of World Cup glory.
Fiji enjoyed the bulk of field position and possession but lacked inspiration in their fifth-tackle options and struggled to capitalise.
“There was a lack of patience as soon as we got close to the tryline, trying to score every set,” Fiji forward Tui Kamikamica said.
“But in saying that, it was a pretty physical game and PNG really deserved to win.”
There seemed to be no breaking through the resolute PNG defence until Kevin Naiqama chased his grubberkick close to the line and grabbed the ball back for a try.
But PNG went into the break 12-6 ahead despite having only five play-the-balls inside their opposition’s 20m zone, compared to Fiji’s 24.
Fiji fullback Sunia Turuva gave Penrith fans a preview of the future, clocking up 252 metres to go with two tries and seven tackle busts.
The 19-year-old is without question ready for an NRL debut should injury strike Dylan Edwards down in the Panthers’ quest for back-to-back premierships.
NRL rivals might have liked what they saw but Turuva re-committed to the Panthers earlier this month and will join their top-30 squad for at least two more seasons from 2023.
“He’s going to be a very good player of the future,” Kamikamica said.
Turuva brought Fiji back into the contest with his first try in the second half but Mead helped the Kumuls hit back with a try he’ll remember for the rest of his life.
It wouldn’t have been a PNG win without some Justin Olam magic.
The Melbourne fan favourite produced an inch-perfect grubberkick for Lam to score his second try that sealed the result for the Kumuls.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments