4 Nations Trial Matches This Saturday
!GAME CANCELLED DUE TO WET WEATHER
! REMINDER!! don’t forget THIS SATURDAY!!
In lead up to QPICC a trial game day will be held this Saturday at Bill Norris Oval. Running alongside us will be Tonga, Cook Islands and QLD Samoa. Will all men and women divisions getting the chance to have a run on the day.
Entry Fee will be $5 for 17yrs and above and $2 for 13-16yrs.
Kick off at 9am with games running through till 3pm!!
Tell all your friends and family and come on down and support our Nations ?? ?? ?? ??
- Published in News
Merry Christmas from QLD PNG Rugby League
- Published in News
Paiyo Looking for an Edge at NRL Coaching Conference
Your Head Coach, Elias Paiyo, at the NRL Coaching Conference at CBUS Stadium this weekend. U18s Coach, Lee Sharp, was also in attendance.
Last Week of Training Before QPICC
MAKE SURE YOU ATTEND AND HAVE MADE ALL YOUR FINAL PAYMENTS & FORMS IN!
NOTE: TRAINING IS MON & WED THIS WEEK.
WE PLAY FRIDAY NIGHT.
- Published in News
Ragtag Men’s Team Shows Real Heart
The QLD PNG Open Men’s side has had real difficulty fielding a full side over the past few weeks and this week was particularly difficult. So much so that 45 year old former Kumul, Elias Paiyo, relinquished his coaching duties to Lee Sharp, and pulled on the boots. Paiyo was joined by Jarome, Bruno and Sam Tau who all had not played in years.
The Cook Islanders were quick to rack up the points against a team made up of crack youngsters and a bunch of old blokes who had long hung up the boots. At half time the score was PNG 6 – Cook Is. 14. The six points were courtesy of an Alan White try from a break by Israel Talligatus. LJ Waddups added the two.
The Cook Islanders came back after the second half with another two quick tries, making the score PNG 10 – Cook Is 26. But the Kokomos were not about to give up.
LJ put Seb Samuels through a hole and made a massive break and was tackled on the line. A quick play the ball to LJ Waddups saw him add another 6 points to the scoreboard for PNG with a converted try. Taking the score to PNG 12 – Cook Is 26.
PNG kept the pressure on and Isreal Talligatus, an u18s player who stepped up to fill in for the Men’s Open team scored down the wing. It was a move started by the Kumul veteran, Paiyo, who passed it to Bobby Tau an on to Talligatus – a youngster with real speed to burn. The score now PNG 18 to Cook Islands 26.
Full time was fast approaching and the PNG boys refused to give in. They kept testing the Cook Island defence and eventually found it wanting. A break from the mecurial Alan White put them on the attack. An deft kick from Cameron Boga lead to a try by Brad Frith. LJ Waddups scored the much needed extra two points.
Just two points behind, the Kokomos stayed in the hunt for a win and were on the attack when the full-time whistle beat them.
Not a bad performance for a team that had not only not played together but hadn’t actually played in years! The heart and passion they displayed, is what QLD PNG Kokomos is all about. Never, ever, ever giving in or giving up.
Coach, Elias Paiyo, said that he was proud of their efforts. LJ Waddups took control of the team and successfully steered them around the paddock, and this was backed up with some brilliant individual plays from the younger players. Paiyo was impressed that they stood tall in a team that really was under the pump from the start.
“You can’t be anything but proud,” he said.
- Published in Cook Islands, Kokomos - Hunters Meet and Greet 2022, Mens Open, News
U18s Recover From Controversy
QLD PNG’s Thame Kellemer set the standard for the match when a few minutes into the game he pulled off what had to be the tackle of the day.
The Cook Islands were awarded a controversial try by the referee as the player clearly dropped the ball. However the referee’s decision stood and further salt was rubbed into the wound when they kicked the extras putting them in the lead 6 – nil.
Somewhat shell-shocked from the disappointing start to the game, the Kokomos were hit by the hard-charging Cookies again, making it 10 to nil.
The QLD PNG boys recomposed themselves and Jayden Sharp put the first points on the board for QLD PNG. Lachlan Medcraft made sure of the extras. The score as they headed into halftime PNG 6 – Cook Is. 10.
The Kokomos’ boys came back firing. Isreal Talligatus scored early locking the scores up at 10 all after Medcraft missed a difficult kick from the sideline.
Not long after the PNG boys had regained possession and a series of great attacking plays put them 20 metres out from the try line when Jayden Sharp put up a pin point perfect kick to the corner and Jamahl Rose showed a quick pair of heels in the chase for the ball and scored in the corner.
The Kokomos were in front for the first time leading 14 points to Cook Is 10.
The Cook Islands boys, however, were not about to throw in the towel. They hit back with two quick tries and again marked their authority on the game. Cook Islands now had 6 point lead over the Kokomos.
The Kokomos boys showed real heart and dug deep, not willing to concede a loss and they were rewarded for their efforts. Danny Willie scored in the dying seconds of the game and Lachlan Medcraft made sure of the two points to record a draw against the Cook Islands.
When asked about the u18s performance, Coach, Lee Sharp, thought the boys played well and he was really happy with the effort. Looking at what he needs to see in the upcoming QPICC carnival, he stated that he would like to see the guys start the game at the same tempo as they finished it.
- Published in Cook Islands, Match Report, News, Under 18
QLD PNG v Cook Island Trial Matches
The Cook Islands will host QLD PNG trial games in preparation for the 2017 QPICC Carnival. The Trial Games will be held at Souths Sunnybank Rugby League Club (Woff Street). See below for details.
Kokomos u18s Unlucky Against Tonga
Alan White, put the PNG boys on the board for the Lee Sharp trained, u18s Kokomos, and Shaun Hoerler made sure of the kick to put PNG in front 6 nil against Tonga.
Tonga responded with a beautiful try down the side line from Goor whose step and speed kept him out PNG’s reach. Sietoa Teesi missed a difficult kick. PNG 6 – Tonga 4.
The Kokomos’ attacking speed caught Tonga offguard with Lachlan Medcraft scoring but the kick was unsuccessful. PNG extended their lead to 10 over Tonga 4.
Bobby Tau stepped and weaved his way through the Tongan defence and offloaded to no. 16. who made a 30 metre run down the sideline but were unable to make the most of the opportunity. Instead Devontai Secmanitafa crossed for the second try of the day for Tonga. Sietoa Teesi made sure of the extras and the scores were locked at 10 a piece.
Another try by the fleet-footed Goor, and a conversion by Teesi had the PNG boys behind by six points. The half-time score, PNG 10 – Tonga 16.
An early second half try by Tonga’s, Troy Shepherd, had Tonga leading the match 20-10.
Alan White, who had been successfully probing the Tongan defensive line in the first half did so again, but Hoerler failed to convert. The PNG boys had closed the gap to 6 points. PNG 14 – Tonga 20.
Tonga were next to hit back with Devontai Secmanitafa bagging his second for the match. Shaun Hoerler for PNG responded in quick succession but was unable to convert his own try. The score PNG 18 – 24.
Tonga sealed the match with a try by MJ Havili. The final score PNG 18 – Tonga 28
The Kokomos boys showed real promise but a few unforced errors at critical times cost them. Like our other PNG teams they start well but are unable to sustain the pressure on their opponents in the second half. Trial games against the Cook Is next week will help iron out the kinks and allow the combination and structures to come together.
u16s Battle for Dominance Against Tonga
The u16s Kokomos took the field and watched, with spectators, the Tongan boys perform their cultural equivalent of the Haka.
The wind had picked up since the earlier, u14s match as the Kokomos boys kicked of their second trial match in their campaign to claim the 2017 QPICC Carnival u16s title under the guidance of Senior Coach, Matt Muir.
PNG were quick to make their mark on the game with Edward Bolan putting PNG in front with an early try. Unfortunately PNG were unable to convert. PNG 4 – Tonga 0.
PNG looked to do it again, with half, Bodhi Banister, offloading to Josh Paiyo who bustled through the Tongan defence to put them with 5m of the Tongan try line. However, a Tongan intercept put an end to the PNG attacking raid.
Tonga returned serve putting the pressure on the Kokomos boys and the boys withstood the initial threat with some brilliant defense but eventually succumbed with Hunter Rundmann putting Tonga’s first points on the board. A successful conversion putting Tonga in the lead. PNG 4 – Tonga 6.
Another Tongan try before the siren put the half time score at PNG 4 – Tonga 12.
PNG made an early break in the second half and Cruise Ten capitalised on the opportunity scoring but again PNG were unable to add the extras. PNG 8 – Tonga 12.
The battle continued with Tonga hitting back and extending their lead to 8 points over their PNG opponents. This was further extended with another converted try to Tonga making the score PNG 8 – Tonga 22.
The PNG boys refused to give up without a fight and Kokomos’ Cruise Ten’s individual try combined with Jarone Clunn’s 2 points, made the final score PNG 14 – Tonga 22.
The Kokomos boys showed flashes of brilliance and as they continue to work their combinations, and become more confident in the team mates around them, I am sure that they will obtain the dominance they seek.
Kokomos u16s Feel The Heat
The under 16s from the QLD PNG Kokomos & QLD Niue kicked off their trial match at 12:3o on a hot and dry, 30 degree, Gold Coast Saturday and the game looked to be as hot as the ambient temperature. It was agreed by both teams that instead of playing a match of two halves that they switch to 4 x 15 minute quarters so the players could stay hydrated in the heat.
After playing the National Anthems for the visiting Niue team and for PNG, the spectators were treated to the Niue equivalent of the Haka. The cultural element being a key feature of the Queensland Pacific Island Cultural Carnival (QPICC) tradition.
Niue opened the encounter with a deft try by Frazier Ginn. They failed to add the extras. The score Nuie 4 – PNG 0.
Jayden Sharp busted through the Nuie defence, the big 40m run setting up a second play with a break by Joshua Paiyo and quick pass by Ben Kay which resulted in a try by PNG’s Cruise Ten. Jarone Clunn added another two points to give PNG the lead 6 – 4
PNG kept the pressure on with a pinpoint kick from Cruise Ten from the centre of the field 20 metres out and into the corner. The try was beautifully caught and Ashley Faulkner scored for PNG. Jarone Clunn missed the kick. PNG extended their lead 10 -4 over Niue.
Just before the end of the first quarter Niue scored another converted try. They went into the break at the end of the first quarter at 10 all.
PNG’s, Jayden Sharp, bustled over the line, in the opening minutes of the second quarter but the referee disallowed it claiming he dropped the ball over the line.
Cruise Ten put through another beautiful kick which saw George Hill score. Clunn failed to convert. PNG 14 – Niue 10.
This was followed by another PNG try. This time it was Jarone Clunn who also converted his own try. This put PNG into a 10 point lead. PNG 20 – Niue 10.
Niue’s Vana Finau, scored off a break by Nuie’s flyer, Tesi Niu who passed it to Finau to score. Unfortunately, they were unable to convert.
The Half Time Score: PNG 20 – Niue 14.
They say many games are won or lost in the third quarter and this game is was no different. Niue lifted a gear, and began to pressure the PNG defence. After a couple of failed attempts early in the third, Niue scored courtesy of Tesi Niu. The converted try made it 20 all. It was anyone’s game.
The unrelenting heat and niggling injuries were beginning to take its toll on the PNG boys and Nuie capitalised on it by scoring a converted try leading into the final quarter. The score Niue 26 – PNG 20.
Unfortunately the PNG boys were unable pull it together sufficiently to withstand the sustained pressure from the Nuie boys, who scored three quick tries in succession. The final score Niue 42 – PNG 20.
The Kokomos boys looked the goods early in the game and really had it in them to win. The heat became a factor for both teams late in the game and it really could have gone either way.
- Published in Match Report, News, Under 16