For New Guinea and Stanley Gene
November 8th 2008 07:38
Papua New Guinea are already out of world cup contention, but try telling this team their final super group match against Australia is not the most important game in the history of rugby league in the island nation.
This is ‘The Kumals’ litmus test to prove if they are really capable of cracking it in an NRL competition, now keeping a close eye on the way league evolves in New Guinea.
The challenge that stands in front of them takes the form of a Kangaroos outfit that have won the last six world cups, not to mention they have already blown this edition out of the water with their performances so far against their best challengers.
Not that New Guinea will be frightened of the task that lies ahead. It is something they will indeed saviour for the rest of their history.
Why?
Because when one has to contend with the domestic violence and sexual harassment these Kumals experience on a week to week basis, playing Australia in a rugby league world cup match seems like a bit of fun compared to the disturbances faced back home for these guys.
Indeed the enjoyment of playing against the world champions could yield massive dividends for New Guinea, if they live up to their end of the bargain and put on a good show.
They are under no pressure to do so in any case. The Kumals have been granted a 50 point start courtesy of Tab Sportsbet against the Kangaroos, with many thinking Australia will reach triple figures against their opponents.
Despite the pessimistic chances of the Kumals beating their opposition, New Guinea will gain a significant advantage that both England and New Zealand could not call upon.
The Kumals will not have to contend with Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer and Storm sensations Billy Slater and Greg Inglis, who both scored hat tricks last Sunday against the hapless Poms.
Indeed New Guinea will have the luxury of not having to muscle up against class forwards Petero Civoncieva, Anthony Laffranchi and Glenn Stewart who will be rested.
Although Johnathon Thurston’s return will keep fans optimistic of a record breaking thrashing, New Guinea will be quietly confident of pulling something out of Australia’s pouch.
The Kumals will be playing a Kangaroos side that resembles the Prime Ministers XII who they played five or so weeks ago.
Even though they lost that encounter, recent performances against Australia’s ‘B team’ have been positive, considering most of the games have been competitive contests.
Adding more resemblance to New Guinea’s historical match up against Australia is the imminent retirement of rugby league’s greatest mystery man, Stanley Gene.
The muscled up five eighth has been a great ambassador and character for, not just New Guinean rugby league, but rugby league in general.
His team-mates will be hell-bent on giving the man, presumably aged between 32 and 54, a resounding send off.
The Kumals alone deserve a cracking finale that will hopefully garner rugby league in their country the recognition it deserves.
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