The Kumuls were brave in the PNG v Samoa Pacific Test match on Saturday night, but ultimately defeated 24-6 by a Samoan side which had just a little too much quality.
But the 18 point loss flattered Samoa a little, with the Kumuls right in the game, and arguably slightly on top before Samoa scored their third try.
Despite the loss, there’s plenty to like about the weakened Kumuls performance, and we are going to explain a few lessons from the PNG v Samoa Test below in a PNG focused piece.
For a full review of the game, please visit Nothing But League for our full PNG v Samoa Match Report.
NIXON PUTT – NRL READY
There’s usually one or two players from a Kumuls test that puts their hand up to be noticed, and that player was second rower Nixon Putt.
Putt led the Kumuls metre count with 159 metres, and topped the number of runs with 17. He also was second in the PNG tackle count with 30. Although he was guilty of a huge 10 missed tackles. But the hit ups were done with purpose, and he tried to impact on the game with every touch.
He’s also an 80 minute man, no mean feat in the intense world of playing as a forward in a Pacific test.
His performance in the PNG v Samoa test was not a one off. He has been one of PNG Kumuls/Hunters best of previous seasons, and his form for Norths this season has seen him become a fan favourite.
Being a Norths Devils player makes him one step closer to an NRL spot, and given the Broncos struggles this season, they could certainly do worse than giving the PNG international a go.
TERRY WAPI – PROMISING SIGNS
Recent Hunters recruit Terry Wapi has only played a handful of games for the PNG Hunters side after being picked from their local competition, but he has done well for the Intrust Super Cup side, and did a good job for the Kumuls in the PNG v Samoa test.
He moved to fullback during the first half, after Edene Gebbie had a nervous start under the high ball. Although worth noting was Gebbie’s tremendous try saving tackle in the first half.
Wapi provided a little more security at the back, and grew into the game at fullback. He also linked well with Gebbie, as the Kumuls started to gain some real momentum in the second half.
Hopefully he won’t be only remembered for an awkward moment at the end of the game where he appeared to watch an attempted field goal bounce off the posts and into the arms of an untouched Warriors player waiting patiently. Because there appeared some real promise in what he offered on Saturday night.
He scored the only try for the Kumuls in a magical piece of opportunism.
As it stand his form is keeping out Ase Boas. Perhaps there were enough glimpses on Saturday to see at least the fullback position be nailed down for the Hunters.
NRL EXPERIENCE NOT EVERYTHING
Going into the game the Kumuls were massively outclassed in terms of NRL experience compared to Samoa, and while the very best of the Samoan NRL talent stood out and made the difference (Martin Taupau and Anthony Milford), you could argue that PNG had the Samoans covered elsewhere.
Even looking through the Kumuls performance, you could argue that the NRL talent didn’t really stand out too far above the other Kumuls. Although in the case of Kurt Baptiste, he did go off injured twice.
Fellow NRL regulars James Segeyaro and Rhyse Martin did play the full 80 minutes, and their experience is always welcome for the Kumuls, but the team’s overall performance showed that players like Moses Meninga, Stanton Albert and Radley Brawa should never be overlooked. The two bench players provided some real impact in the part of the game where PNG were right in the contest.
Even Edwin Ipape, who stretched the selection criteria as he can’t get a game for Wynnum in the Intrust Super Cup showed some really good signs during the game.
MORE TO COME LATER IN THE YEAR FOR PNG
One thing for Kumuls fans to look forward to later in the year is the addition of several players who were unavailable for this test match, either through injury or because they were UK based.
Not forgetting that two potential game breakers who were originally named in the Kumuls v Samoa Test squad in Justin Olam and Lachlan Lam. Olam is scoring tries and burning through defenses this season as part of the undefeated Intrust Super Cup leading Sunshine Coast Falcons. Lachlan Lam has looked comfortable for both the Kumuls and Roosters when given his chance, so his work in the halves will be well received if he is available for the important end of season matches.
Then there’s the UK contingent. Starting with Super League stars David Mead and Wellington Albert, who should instantly walk into a Kumuls squad, Plus there is the bunch of players from the second tier UK Championship. Like Wartovo Puara, Stargroth Amean, Watson Boas, Thompson Teteh, and of course Willie Minoga. Whilst they are based in the UK second division, they are tried and true for the Kumuls, and would increase the depth of the squad from the PNG v Samoa test which had to get players with only a handful of appearance off the bench for Intrust Super Cup clubs.
Throw in a fit and fired up Nene McDonald, and that’s starting to look like a line up that will really start to take it to the other Pacific nations.
ADD A LITTLE MORE STYLE TO THE SUBSTANCE
It is safe to say that PNG were on top there for a while in the PNG v Samoa Test, and that did coincide with the Kumuls taking more a few more risks with the ball.
Not that their running up the field wasn’t effective, but throwing the ball around a little more seem to cause Samoa some problems.
As a long term PNG Hunters fan, we remember the Hunters daring devil may care style of play in 2014 and 2015 being as entertaining as any rugby league we’ve ever seen. And that wasn’t without some success, as they finished 6trh and 2nd in those two seasons in the Intrust Super Cup.
The style became more standard with modern day NRL, and it did win a premiership for the Hunters, but that lack of fun of not knowing where or how the next offloads was coming from.
We say we’d love to see a return to a little more ad-lib rugby league, and given the proof of the Kumuls performance v Samoa, who’s to say that the more attacking style wouldn’t be more effective anyway.
LUKE PAGE
At this point we’d love to mention the fine, continued work Luke Page has made to the Kumuls. He is a picture of commitment for both the Kumuls and Burleigh and impresses every time we get the chance to see him play. His 2016 effort for Burleigh in the Grand Final still sticks in the mind.
He racked up some decent stats in the PNG v Samoa Test, despite only playing 43 minutes. And all of those 43 minutes were played at maximum speed and effort as always,
Like many PNG players, NRL has probably passed him by, which like is the case for many other PNG players is the NRL’s loss.
PROMISING COATES
PNG may have a real good one in Xavier Coates. Time will tell of course, but the early sings are good.
His rapid rise saw another level on Saturday as he made his International debut for PNG, after a handful of ISC games and a Queensland Under 20 game in which he starred.
It is fair to say that despite his age and experience, he didn’t show much sign of being overawed.
The centres didn’t get to see a great deal of the ball in the PNG v Samoa test, but Coates did the best with what he could. And in defense there was a particularly good one on one tackle to stop a try.
He is certainly someone that the Kumuls can build around for the next decade.
TOUGH BUT FAIR
One thing you can always say about any PNG side is that they play tough but fair.
They were certainly tough on Saturday night, matching the Samoan side for big hits and impacts, but they also did it without some of the nasty niggle that crept into the game.
One particular moment went on report as Mason Lino kneed a Kumuls player on the ground in a tackle.
A fired up Anthony Milford also sailed close to the wind with his aggression.
ANYTHING TO GO FORWARD FOR THE PNG HUNTERS?
For once the Kumuls side had very few PNG Hunters, but surely the ones who played with little experience will get a massive confidence boost from the great display.
If Terry Wapi focuses on the positives, he could turn that into a nice season fro the Hunters.
With a generous top eight in the ISC this season, hitting some form now will give a team every chance to play finals, and from there they are in the running to be beaten by the Sunshine Coast in the Grand Final.
PNG v SAMOA TEST STATS
| Player | Position | Mins Played |
Tries | Conv | Runs | Run Metres | Post Contact |
Line Breaks |
Tackle Breaks |
Offloads | Tackles Made |
Missed Tackles |
| Edene Gebbie | Fullback | 80:00:00 | – | – | 13 | 100 | 31 | – | 4 | – | 6 | 3 |
| Junior Rau | Winger | 80:00:00 | – | – | 13 | 84 | 27 | – | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Brandon Nima | Centre | 80:00:00 | – | – | 4 | 28 | 10 | – | – | – | 10 | 4 |
| Xavier Coates | Centre | 67:00:00 | – | – | 11 | 72 | 22 | – | 3 | – | 14 | 1 |
| Terry Wapi | Winger | 80:00:00 | 1 | – | 16 | 116 | 34 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Edwin Ipape | Five-Eighth | 80:00:00 | – | – | 12 | 113 | 13 | – | 3 | 1 | 14 | 4 |
| Kyle Laybutt | Halfback | 80:00:00 | – | – | 5 | 38 | 11 | – | – | – | 19 | 7 |
| Enock Maki | Prop | 33:00:00 | – | – | 9 | 95 | 33 | – | – | – | 20 | 4 |
| James Segeyaro | Hooker | 80:00:00 | – | – | 2 | 9 | 3 | – | – | 1 | 34 | 6 |
| Luke Page | Prop | 43:00:00 | – | – | 11 | 103 | 37 | – | 1 | – | 26 | 2 |
| Rhyse Martin | 2nd Row | 80:00:00 | – | 1 | 12 | 98 | 33 | – | – | – | 34 | 8 |
| Nixon Putt | 2nd Row | 80:00:00 | – | – | 17 | 159 | 46 | – | – | – | 30 | 10 |
| Moses Meninga | Lock | 47:00:00 | – | – | 11 | 127 | 48 | – | 1 | 3 | 29 | 6 |
| Kurt Baptiste | Interchange | 27:00:00 | – | – | 3 | 18 | – | – | – | – | 12 | 1 |
| Zev John | Interchange | 18:00 | – | – | 5 | 40 | 11 | – | – | – | 13 | 2 |
| Radley Brawa | Interchange | 46:00:00 | – | – | 12 | 101 | 22 | – | 2 | 1 | 25 | 2 |
| Stanton Albert | Interchange | 39:00:00 | – | – | 10 | 97 | 50 | – | – | – | 24 | 3 |
[…] [ June 24, 2019 ] Samoa 24 PNG Kumuls 6 – Lessons from the PNG v Samoa Test Rugby Leagu… […]