Birds of paradise ready to fly in league World Cup
October 8th 2008 08:03
It is the time of year that makes every Papua New Guinean believe. Despite the poor infrastructure, financial debts and violence, ’The Kumals’ will fly to Australia to represent a nation that perhaps lives and breathes Rugby League more than any other country on the planet.
Adrian Lam regards himself as more of a Queenslander than anything. Deep down though, his heart and soul will guide a Papua New Guinea team that has the potential to cause a big stir come World Cup time.
Surely all those matches against the Australian Prime Minister's XII amount to something.
Despite it being a perceived second string squad of NRL players, Papua New Guinea have nevertheless, pitted their talents against the best League side in the world in recent seasons.
And the results have been far from disappointing. If anything, it is a nation going forward in international Rugby League.
In their most recent game against the Prime Minister's XII, The 'Kumals' scored thirty points against an Australian opponent that have most of its players playing in the toughest code on the planet.
The 'Kumals' at times played some breathtaking football against high calibre players, among them Nathan Hindmarsh, Michael Jennings, Scott Prince and Terry Campese.
Although their defence needs a lot of finetuning, there is no doubt Adrian Lam has a team with unparalleled potential at his disposal.
This is a side blessed with speed and attitude. Just imagine them on a dry track on the surfaces of Suncorp Stadium.
Really, some of the New Guinean players can motor. Cowboys flyer Matthew Bowen would indeed just be on par with some of these 'Kumal' flyers.
Like most amateur League nations however, New Guinea often rely on the momentum factor for victory in matches.
Although it will be paramount for all sides in this years World Cup to start well, the 'Kumals' will want to race out of the blocks.
It is then they play their best football. Only then will they start believing in the impossible.
However, their attitude when behind in games has opened many eyes in League circles.
Two seasons ago, the Prime Minister's XII led 20-0 at halftime against the Kumals. New Guinea then scored 24 points to eventually gain a draw in a game that looked all lost by the break.
Despite the draw, the result was celebrated as if the New Guineans had won League's highest team honour.
One can only imagine the celebrations if the ‘Kumals’ were to achieve greatness in a tournament that has an Australian victory written all over it.
Indeed it would be a small step for League and a giant leap for New Guinean mankind.
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