PNG ready to rise to RWC qualifying challenge
By Peter Pusal
From Port Moresby
The Papua New Guinea Pukpuks leave Melanesian solidarity on the sidelines when they begin their campaign for Rugby World Cup 2011 qualification against the Vanuatu Tuskers in a Western conference play-off on Saturday at Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby.
Both nations are the minnows of world rugby and rank well behind Pacific rugby giants Fiji, Tonga and Samoa and of course the top of the world rugby food chain Australia and New Zealand in the region.
But this will not be just another inter-island rivalry as both teams will get a chance to once again progress through the Oceania region's qualifying stages and to gauge their development ultimately against a bona fide World Cup team in Samoa - provided either of the Melanesian sides gets past fellow Polynesian hopefuls and Eastern Conference winners, Niue or Cook Islands.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Union president Richard Sapias has pulled out all stops since coming into the position last month, replacing the long serving Graham Osbourne.
"PNG rugby is set to redirect its focus on areas like junior development and to strengthening its levels of rugby from club to provincial to regional with the Super 4s," explained Sapias.
"This will be the new administration's first major event and we're hoping to show IRB Oceania and our fellow FORU countries that we can put on matches and display a good standard of rugby."
Perfect record
Present for Saturday's match will be Lee Smith, the IRB's Regional Development Manager for Oceania, who will observe the running of the match and give advice on its aspects. Two match officials from the Australian Rugby Union, by way of Queensland and New South Wales, who will officiate are Stephen Hill and Damian Mitchelmore.
PNG has a perfect record against Vanuatu since both played their first 15-a-side match in 2002, winning four from as many with the biggest win a 97-3 victory in 2005 in Port Moresby.
Since arriving on Tuesday, Vanuatu have not let on too much on how they plan to dismantle the Pukpuks, but captain Andrew Kalsakau gave a hint of the mind set of the Tuskers heading into the elimination match.
"We know the Pukpuks are a very good team and we will have to be at our best on Saturday. Our strength has always been our backs so we'll be looking at containing the Pukpuk forwards, trying to stop their momentum and give our backs some good ball to use," Kalsakau said.
With home court advantage to the Pukpuks and a spotless record against Vanuatu it's hard to see the Tuskers overcoming the Papua New Guineans in what will kick-start an exciting four weeks of Oceania rugby.
Papua New Guinea: Westley Thomas, Kapua Kapua, Adam Hill, Willie Rikis (Captain), Aaron Miai, Alex Haija, Ray Vagi, Yaisuo Giheno, Lawrence Acanufa, Edwin Noki, David Eri, Raymond Romalus, Chris Hogi, Emmanuel Auru, Jack Maraha.
Replacements: Manu Gairo Jr., Peatrie Birney, Philip Suapo, Charles Maips, Roland Namo, Chris Kakah, Richard Mark.
Vanuatu: Barry Kalotiti, Frederick Ure, Romiti Usmoli, Graham Tungan, Stevie George, Oliver Licht, Kaltonga Kalsau, Joe Wesley, Henderson Toa, Geoffrey Kausei, George Renganvanu, Jenery Toara, Vatumaraga Molisa, Pakoa Managawai, John Amos, Mara Bakokoto, James Seule, George Sablan, Tonny Lui, Koko Kalsal, Andrew Kalsakau (Captain), Nalu Sope.
