Prime Minister James Marape has congratulated the PNG Junior Kumuls on their historic 18–10 victory over the Australian Schoolboys at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby last Saturday, October 4.
He said in a statement that the win is a proud moment and a sign of the talent emerging through PNG’s rugby league pathways.
Prime Minister Marape said the Junior Kumuls’ first victory over the Australian Schoolboys demonstrated the potential of Papua New Guinea’s young rugby league players.
Related news: https://www.postcourier.com.pg/pm-marape-congratulates-junior-kumuls-on-historic-win-commends-all-teams-in-pms-xii-clashes/
“This is a historic achievement for our Junior Kumuls and for Papua New Guinea rugby league,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“Our young men showed courage, discipline and confidence against some of the best emerging rugby league talent in Australia.
“They led 10–0 at halftime, withstood the Australian comeback and finished strongly to win 18–10.
“I congratulate every player, coach and official involved. You have made Papua New Guinea proud.”
Prime Minister Marape said the victory demonstrated why Papua New Guinea must continue investing in junior development and pathways as the country prepares for the PNG Chiefs to enter the NRL in 2028.
“This victory shows us that the talent is here,” he said.
“Our responsibility is to identify that talent early, develop it properly and provide the right coaching, facilities, competitions and pathways so our young people can reach their full potential.
“As we prepare for the PNG Chiefs to enter the NRL in 2028, our investment cannot be limited to one professional team. It must strengthen rugby league from the grassroots and schools’ level through to our domestic competitions and elite pathways.”
Prime Minister Marape also congratulated the Australian teams on their performances throughout the day.
The Australian Schoolgirls defeated the PNG Junior Orchids 32–0, while the Australian Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII defeated the PNG Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII 66–6.
In the 20th men’s Prime Minister’s XIII encounter, Australia defeated PNG 60–10.
Prime Minister Marape said the senior results showed the high standard required at the elite level and provided important lessons for Papua New Guinea.
“We congratulate Australia on their victories and on the quality of rugby league they displayed today,” he said.
“For our PNG teams, particularly our senior men and women, these results show us clearly that there is still considerable work ahead.
“We should not hide from that. We must learn from it.
“If Papua New Guinea wants to compete consistently against the best, then we must continue improving our domestic competitions, coaching, high-performance programmes, player development and pathways.
“The Junior Kumuls showed us today what can happen when talented young Papua New Guineans are developed and given the opportunity to compete.”
Prime Minister Marape also commended the PNG Junior Orchids and the PNG Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII for representing the country and continuing the growth of women’s rugby league.
“We are seeing more of our girls and women taking up rugby league, and we must continue creating opportunities for them to develop and compete at the highest level,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape thanked the Australian Government, Australian Rugby League Commission, National Rugby League, Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League, coaches, officials, sponsors and everyone involved in staging the four-match programme.
He also thanked supporters who turned out at Santos National Football Stadium.
“The Prime Minister’s XIII is much more than a day of rugby league,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“It reflects the strong and enduring relationship between Papua New Guinea and Australia and the extraordinary passion our two countries share for this sport.
“As we move towards 2028 and the historic entry of the PNG Chiefs into the NRL, today has shown us both the enormous potential within Papua New Guinea and the work that remains ahead.
“Congratulations to our Junior Kumuls for making history. Congratulations also to every Papua New Guinean who proudly wore our colors today, and to our Australian friends for another successful Prime Minister’s XIII programme.
“Let us take the lessons from today, continue building our pathways and give the next generation of Papua New Guineans every opportunity to succeed.”