LOCAL talent participating in the Digicel Cup should be given a fair chance to represent the country in the Prime Ministers XIII rather than overseas-based players, an MP said.
Sports Vice-Minister and Moresby North-east MP Labi Amaiu called on the national selectors to inform rugby league fans on what criteria they used to choose players. Amaiu made the comments after Nene MacDonald (Roosters) and Alex Johnston (South Sydney) opted out of playing in the upcoming match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII in Kokopo next month. As someone who played the game and was part of its administration in Port Moresby, Amaiu asked whether there was a method to the selections. Amaiu, who was tasked to oversee rugby league and soccer as the vice-minister, was disappointed that no Digicel Cup players made the PNG PM’s XIII side “I think the PM’s XIII match should be used as a vehicle to promote local players and the national zone players,” Amaiu said. “I believe that PNGRFL can take stock of its playing resources locally instead of relying on overseas-based players who may or may not play for us.” He commended PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka for the good work he had overseen this year and urged him to ensure more Digicel Cup players were given opportunities. Amaiu called on the league to have a policy of not picking players who switched allegiances to other countries. PAPUA New Guinea women had a mixed weekend at the FIBA Oceania Pacific Basketball championships at the close of the third day of the tournament in Porirua, New Zealand.
After scoring a 74-53 win over Samoa on Saturday, the Veitu Viro-coached side’s fortunes changed yesterday when they went down in a close game to Tahiti 69-62. The result means Tahiti will qualify second from Pool Two, with New Zealand Maori certain of claiming the top spot for playoff crossovers. PNG is likely to face Fiji – secure in second from Pool One – in the quarter-finals later this week. The men are not travelling so well, losing all three games so far in the tournament. In the game on Saturday, fast ball movement and good teamwork from the PNG women saw them secure a comfortable 74-53 win over Samoa in their second game of women’s pool play. The halftime score had PNG only with a four-point advantage (32-28), but from there on, they were the dominant side, scoring 42 second-half points. Betty Angula (pictured) compiled 13 points and made 16 rebounds. Savannah Tafau-Levy was a star for the struggling Samoans, with 24 points/11 rebounds. Samoa’s full-court press most of the game tested PNG forcing them to give away possession 23 times. PNG stuck with the plan of getting points close to the hoop and finished with 39% field goal completion rate (31/79), with no points coming from outside the arc. Samoa attempted 15 three-pointers and only hit one, ending the game scoring 27% of field goals. PNG 74 (Betty Angula 13, Emily Koivi & Nape Waka 12) Samoa 53. (Savannah Tafau-Levy 24, Charlotte Davis 10). Yesterday PNG held Tahiti to a 30-all half-time deadlock before folding 75-65. Turnovers ruined PNG’s gallant effort, committing 16 turnovers and were outscored 20-10 in this department. Forward Betty Angula was again the PNG leader contributing 18 points/12 rebounds. Tahiti 75 (Alizee Lefranc 25, Maia Lextreyt 19, Oceane Lefranc 16) PNG 65 (Betty Angula 18, Louisa Wallace 13, Marca Muri 12). In the men, Tāhiti edged out PNG 69-62 on Saturday. In the final minutes, the game became very physical as PNG tried to close the gap. PNG came within two points of Tahiti in the final minutes but missed foul shots that could have made the difference. Tahiti coach Georges Adams said his team needed to work very hard to repel PNG, who were a good team. PNG’s Apia Muri led all scorers with 19 points with Tahiti’s Arihau Meuel’s and Purari Muri second best with 14 points each. Yesterday things were not so rosy for PNG as they crashed to Guam 84-61. The first quarter ended close at 15-13 Guam leading to stretch to 41-19 at halftime. PNG came out firing in the third quarter and out-scored Guam 23-18. They kept on the gas and put pressure on Guam by stretching the court and the opposing defence, scoring several fast-break points. Apia Muri topped with 22 points and with Gabriel Elavo (13), helped bring their team within 19 points near the end of the third. The National |
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