Culture and rugby league brings communities together for cup
Cultural Cup: New representative carnival celebrates rugby league, culture and heritage. Check out all the action, including top Southwest Qld Emus and Pacific Nations player ratings, plus our photo gallery in our wrap-up BELOW.
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LEAGUE: Two cultures were united by a celebration of footy and heritage at the weekend.
From war cries and ‘welcome to countries’ to massive shots and contentious tries, the inaugural Cultural Cup hosted by the Oakey Rugby League Club had it all.
Southwest Queensland Emus and Pacific Nations Toowoomba representative side’s went to head to head, across four different age groups.
U15 Girls
Pacific Nations Toowoomba 50 def Southwest Qld Emus 0
The Emus showed a lot of heart and determination but were outclassed and out muscled by the Pacific players.
The Pacific girls used their size and strength to their advantage, routinely running through the middle of the Emus defensive structure.
Emus coach Katarrina praised her girls efforts, saying that while they obviously did not come away with the victory, she was buoyed by her players attitude and willingness to keep playing in tough conditions.
Top Performers
Pacific: Panatahi Tonga-Awhikau (2 tries, 6 goals), Ataahua Tonga-Awhikau (try), Okalani Compton (3 tries).
Emus: Keasharn Sands-Hunt, Angel-May Monagle, Daisy Combo-Gadd.
U15 Boys
Pacific Nations Toowoomba 24 def Southeast Qld Emus 18
After an opening war dance from the Pacific boys and a welcome to country from the Emus, the game was played with a lot of pride.
Both sides were evenly matched throughout.
The Pacific boys used their size and strength to their benefit, while the Emus used their flair and speed to counter.
“I told the young fellas this morning that they represent a lot,” Emus coach Jack Dempsey said.
“They represent their whole entire community.
“From their elders all the way down to their little brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews
“We are a sporting people.
“They went out there to show that they have heart and they won’t take a backwards step.
“If they can have the resilience on the football field they can take it off into normal day-to-day life.
“The day has been awesome, with beautiful weather, amazing people and two great nationalities coming together.”
Emus player Ezra Cubby was also involved in the dances later in the evening.
“I’ve been dancing since I was a kid,” Cubby said.
“I just enjoy it and I love the culture of it.”
Top performers
Pacific: Natem Young, Patrick Hawkins, Taj Batty
Emus: Ezra Cubby, Ashley Cubby, Ronald Fing
Senior Women’s
Southwest Qld Emus 26 def Pacific Nations Toowoomba 8
Some of the region’s best female footballers but their best foot forward in what was an evenly contested match.
“To be the first two (sides) … it’s such an honour to be here and be a part of it, Pacific captain Mireka Dean said.
“We know we only had a little bit of training but I think for a little bit we saw a proper team.”
“Thanks everyone for showing up today and the ladies for your culture and your family and bring it on next year,” Emus captain Tegan Gibbs said.
Proud of his side’s efforts, coach of the Pacific team, Eddie Dean, explained the different styles of play.
“It’s a natural way to play, using the size and strength,” he said.
“We just put them together (the team) this morning, and they had a game plan for what they believed were their best attributes.
“Up middle is best, the girls said they could take them out wide but we saw what happened there a few times.
“The day and the game was awesome.
“When the SOS is called and all the PAC (Pacific) nations come together, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, New Zealand, all in it, it’s great.”
Winning coach Col Speed praised his side’s determination and commitment to their jersey.
“They showed a lot of pride in the jersey, we were also fortunate to have a couple of combinations that have played together,” Speed said.
“I thought Rosie (Gibbs) led them really well, and Tegan (Gibbs) was outstanding, it was probably some of the best footy she’s played in a long time.
“Everyone just did their job. We gave away a lot of size but guts and footy wise we were a lot better.”
Player of the match
Leah Peckham – “It was good, getting the win and this medal means a lot and representing culture and family, I enjoyed it, it was good.”
Top performers
Emus: Leah Peckham (2 tries), Rosie Gibbs (try, 3 goals), Tegan Gibbs, Katelyn Anderson
Pacific: Eleni Rokomotu, Anna Nekina Tabuai, Anna Dingley (try)
Senior Men’s
Southwest Qld Emus 50 def. Pacific Nations Toowoomba 22
The main event of the night was the most intense game, the senior men’s was a clash of culture and skill.
Both sides were fierce in attack and courageous in defence.
Emus coach Justin Brown, was very pleased with his side’s performance.
“It was very tough for the first 20 minutes but we were able to weather the storm and we got a few tries and we got away with a great win,” he said.
“So hopefully there will be a few more (Cup games) to come.”
Pacific Nation coach Herman Ene-Purcell was underwhelmed with his players performance but was positive on the overall outcome for the day.
“It was a success for us, you know, we had our first ever team.” he said.
“Obviously the scorecard wasn’t in our favour and we would’ve liked to win but it’s the first time our side has played together.
“These Emu boys have played together a lot over the years and our boys are keen to back up again and have another go next year.”
Not saying if he will or will not be the coach next year, Ene-Purcell said he will definitely be involved in some capacity.
Damon Anderson was not only involved with the footy on the day but was the man behind the traditional dances and welcome to country.
“Culture is everything to all the boys that have got a jersey on,” Anderson said.
“We all come from many different tribes, you know, 450 different Aboriginal language groups and tribal groups in Australia.
“The majority of the boys that played in this side, we’ve all played football together, we’re all family, you know, connections through bloodlines so culture is a big thing for us.
Speaking on the difference between the Pacific and Indigenous cultures, Anderson spoke of the meaning behind one another.
“When you saw the Islander boys do their war cry, they are all about war and fighting and stuff,” he said.
“Ours was a welcome.
“We are welcoming them on to our country.
“It was really good to show our culture and good for our little Oakey community.
“It’s so good, so good.”
Player of the match
David McGrady (Emus captain)
Top performers
Emus: Austin Jennings (3 tries), David McGrady, Damien McIntosh
Pacific: George Tavita, Jerimiah Pati, Kotoni Vetemotu (try)
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