28 Oct: RLWC2017 (Group C): Papua New Guinea v Wales - Match Thread

[John Drake]

Discuss the RLWC2017 Group C game between Papua New Guinea v Wales here.

[bobbruce]

PNG by 20. 

[RayCee]

At home with a tough team, PNG but Wales will have plenty of heart.

[Copa]

The PNG climate, sights, sounds and passion will result in a PNG win.

[Scubby]

I am so looking forward to this game. Remember listening to the PNG-GB game on the radio in 1996 wondering what the atmosphere would be like. I can't believe we finally get to see a live game in Port Morseby.

[GeordieSaint]

Is it on Premier?

[Futtocks]

1 minute ago, GeordieSaint said:

Is it on Premier?

Yes. Coverage starts at 5:30am (UK Time) on Saturday.

[GeordieSaint]

Just now, Futtocks said:

Yes. Coverage starts at 5:30am (UK Time) on Saturday.

The little un will have me up then so no excuse not to watch it! 

[jannerboyuk]

This is 1of 3 reasons im looking forward to saturday more than friday! Cymru am byth!

[Lounge Room Lizard]

I wish the Welsh well, but the way the people love the game in PNG I hope they go and win every game in PNG and well! I know people who have been to play against the Hunters and even at that level the fans go absolutely crazy. If you have read Stanley Genes book you will know the people have nothing and for many  this is the highlight of their lives. To see a WC game in PNG and PNG winning will see the whole Country go bananas! This is a game where many people wish they could be there no matter what the score.

[Scubby]

Would be great if they could erect some big screens outside the stadium or in the central area. It would make for unbelievable footage.

[northamptoncougar]

DOes anyone think that the Welsh will have to be bussed onto the pitch in their kit?

[Scubby]

Just now, northamptoncougar said:

DOes anyone think that the Welsh will have to be bussed onto the pitch in their kit?

I think the facilities are supposed to be pretty good there now. Some of the old GB tourists must have some great stories I'm sure.

[EastLondonMike]

Stadium sold out apparently. Gonna be a special day for PNG if they win. 

[Manxmanc]

 

36 minutes ago, EastLondonMike said:

Stadium sold out apparently. Gonna be a special day for PNG if they win. 

According to the website, three sides of the ground are sold out (not just unavailable) with 1,694 tickets remaining on the west side, so this looks like it'll sell out. 

https://purchases.tiketmastas.com.pg/en-AU/events/png vs wales/2017-10-28_15.00/national football stadium/?interface=3&area=5e122986-66bb-e611-80d4-9c8e9

Update: I missed 26 seats available between the West Wings. 

[absentee thoughtlord]

I'd love this to finish in a draw, but suspect PNG will be carried home by their fans.

[Copa]

2 hours ago, northamptoncougar said:

DOes anyone think that the Welsh will have to be bussed onto the pitch in their kit?

They will probably have heavily armed protection from their hotel to the ground.

[Copa]

2 hours ago, EastLondonMike said:

Stadium sold out apparently. Gonna be a special day for PNG if they win. 

If it’s like the good old days there could be more watching at the ground than the official attendance indicates.

Although they appear to be putting in a lot of effort to make things all professional so  those days are probably in the past.

[FearNothing]

I have faith in the boys to get out there and spoil the party......

 

.....and need an armoured car to get out again  .....

 

Good luck to our Gogledd, who'll probably be the only Welshman in the crowd

[Southerner80]

18 hours ago, Scubby said:

I am so looking forward to this game. Remember listening to the PNG-GB game on the radio in 1996 wondering what the atmosphere would be like. I can't believe we finally get to see a live game in Port Morseby.

Me too. PNG is a poor place but it is special in that RL is the game bar none our there. It should be given more of these games.

PNG v Wales, France are legit contests in the truest sense of the word. 

Will be watching this with my baby son who always wakes up early. 

[FearNothing]

My weekday alarm of 05:10hrs will be rolled over to Saturday morning....it's gonna be a great game

[Gerrumonside ref]

PNG 28-16 Wales

[wackojacko]

21 man squads:

Papua New Guinea 
1 David Mead (c) 
2 Justin Olam 
3 Kato Ottio 
4 Nene Macdonald 
5 Garry Lo 
6 Ase Boas 
7 Watson Boas 
8 Stanton Albert 
9 Wartovo Puara 
10 Luke Page 
11 Rhyse Martin 
12 Rod Griffin 
13 Paul Aiton 
14 Kurt Baptiste 
15 Willie Minoga 
16 James Segeyaro 
17 Enock Maki 

18 Lachlan Lam 
19 Stargroth Amean 
20 Wellington Albert 
21 Moses Meninga 
  
Wales 
1 Elliot Kear 
2 Rhys Williams  
3 Michael Channing 
4 Andrew Gay 
5 Regan Grace 
6 Courtney Davies 
7 Matt Seamark 
8 Craig Kopczak (c) 
9 Steve Parry 
10 Philip Joseph 
11 Rhodri Lloyd 
12 Ben Morris 
13 Morgan Knowles 
14 Matty Fozard 
15 Sam Hopkins 
16 Ben Evans 
17 Chester Butler 

18 Josh Ralph 
19 Dalton Grant 
20 Christiaan Roets 
21 Matthew Barron  

 

Great to see so many genuine Welsh lads in but they've got a real struggle on their hands, if they can use their size advantage up front it could be a real contest. Noteworthy to see Hunters' Wartovo Puara seemingly getting the nod at hooker ahead of Segeyaro and Aiton, Marum relying on trusted combinations or a bit of a punishment for Segeyaro? 4 hookers in the 17 seems excessive. PNG should win spurred on by the best crowd we'll have ever seen at a rugby game (hopefully).

[FearNothing]

not impressed seeing Christiaan at 20, our centres are going to need a big game defensively so he'd be my first choice on the field in a physical encounter....

[Allora]

Some good players in the PNG squad.

My eldest Boy went to school with Kurt Baptiste, he was a good player back then as a youngster.