PM’s XIII v PNG: Australian side wins 34-18 in Port Moresby
FEARS of an earthquake saw the PM’s XIII game in Port Moresby stopped for 10 minutes as thousands of fans swarmed the field.
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UPDATE: FEARS of an earthquake saw the PM’s XIII game in Port Moresby stopped for 10 minutes as thousands of fans swarmed the field.
The Australian side finished 34-18 winners but at one stage the game may have been abandoned halfway through the first half. Australia rushed to an 18-0 lead when fans in a state of panic jumped the fences and ran onto the field.
A local security guard said people had witnessed a tall light tower moving – prompting a small section of the crowd to get off their seats and run onto the field fearing an earthquake tremor would see the installed towers collapse.
What ensued was chaos. Thousands of people stormed the playing surface as Australian players lined up for a kick restart. The players then raced off the surface towards their bench as they were surrounded by people.
SEE BELOW: Why Peter Beattie had to stream match over Twitter
“At first it was like ‘what is happening’,” lock Jake Trbojevic said. “The people are harmless. They just love their footy. They got out there for a bit of fun. It stopped our momentum a bit. We were on fire, they just wanted to shake your hand. They weren’t trying to do any harm.
“At first we were worried but it was all sweet.”
The result of giving out all your gear to the locals! #PMsXIII #GoTheRoos #RISE pic.twitter.com/Dd6IS9ziJD
— Australian Kangaroos (@Kangaroos) 6 October 2018
Despite never being in any danger, it caused a few jittery moments for Australian players and officials. It took 10 minutes before security could calm the 14,007 strong crowd and get them to their seats to allow play to resume.
Daly Cherry-Evans was one Australian player who was not worried by the intrusion with the skipper high-fiving and posing for photos.
“It was an amazing PNG experience,” Cherry-Evans said. “Something I’ll never forget. It added to the whole experience. While it may have halted our momentum that goes to show the love they have for rugby league.
“That’s something I’ll never experience again. You have to take it for what it’s worth. While it had an effect on the game, this weekend was much more than a game so it was ok.
“When they were running out they were smiling. They weren’t running out of fear, they were running out of happiness. I knew nothing was wrong. I thought I would give some people some high-fives.”
The PM’s XIII struggled early but fought back in the second half. Trbojevic, David Klemmer and Jordan McLean led the Australian onslaught while Cherry-Evans crossed for two tries.
The pitch invaders aided the home side who had struggled before that. Nick Cotric scored the opening try following a long Cherry-Evans pass which enabled Brian Kelly to set his winger up after eight minutes.
Jake Clifford’s short kicking game was outstanding early but it was a pass which helped lay on the next try. An angled run by Tyrone Peachey was enough to slice through the line before drawing the fullback for Trbojevic to score with Australia capitalising on a strong breeze.
Cherry-Evans scored either side of the unplanned break with his second try a solo effort 40 metre run. PNG had their first try through Rhyse Martin with the final play of the first half to trail 24-6.
Rookie fullback Corey Allan scored after halftime before PNG sparked a comeback with two tries to Kyle Laybutt and Justin Olam before Chad Townsend scooped up a loose ball to score.
Australia came through unscathed.
ARLC chairman Beattie steps in to stream match
ARLC chairman Peter Beattie was left to stream the match from his mobile phone after a broadcasting bungle which could mean the death-knell for the concept in PNG.
Beattie had worked to deliver the match to an Australian audience up until kick-off but was met with reluctance from PNG officials and broadcast holders.
It left the Australian game’s boss to stream the women’s and men’s game to his 12,000 followers on twitter.
Both matches were shown live throughout PNG.
— Peter Beattie (@SmartState1) 6 October 2018
Beattie said it would never happen again.
“The next game will be streamed,” Beattie said. “I am disappointed this one wasn’t. “The fans deserve it. This is about the fans.”
Fiji has emerged as a potential host for the corresponding match next season with would end a 13-year association between Australia and PNG.
The match has been played across various locations in PNG since 2005.
- Michael Carayannis
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