PETE’S PUNCHLINE

The National Sports

  •  At first, I was prepared to give Cameron Munster, and to a lesser extent Cameron Smith, the benefit of the doubt but after watching the Storm-Broncos game on Friday night I am convinced that Munster, especially, either doesn’t like Justin Olam or has no confidence in his ability to attack and therefore doesn’t pass him the ball. The Storm put 46 points on the rabble known as the Broncos and Olam wasn’t able play a more prominent role on the Storm’s left edge? C’mon now. Something aint right.
  • The Kumuls’ first game of the 2021 World Cup (against Tonga) will take place at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens, England. Hopefully the game lives up to local expectations
  • I don’t normally make fun of people’s features (facial or bodily) but man Nathan Cleary has one hell of a chin. It sticks out further than his nose. He’s a damn good player though, a super hero in some Blues and Panthers’ fans minds even. As such I henceforth christen him “The Chin”.
  • Corey Allan actually had a good game over the weekend.
  • I sure hope the process of getting a new executive director of the PNG Sports Foundation is well underway. That means all those applicants are being vetted and a final three candidates will be submitted to the NEC in due course, with recommendations from the PNGSF board and Sports Ministry.
  • I feel a little sorry for Anthony Seibold. This experience coaching the Broncos could ruin him professionally as a coach and psychologically as a human being.
  • Is Edene Gebbie going to play in the Digicel Cup? Word out of Lae is that the man’s cranium has trippled in size and it’s affecting his ability to be a functioning member of the group. Also, a higher up over there reckons ol’ Edex aint off the Rabbitohs payroll. What could that mean?
  • So Paul Gallen is fighting Mark Hunt on Oct 31. Hope he’s packing a titanium mouth guard because that big jaw of his is going to get rocked mightily.
  • Good to hear that the Storm are interested in Alex Johnston. He’d be a good fit for that club. Can Bellamy get Nene while he’s at it?
  • Commentary on the Digicel Cup matches on TVWAN is okay. Terry Longbut is always good. His co-commentator is passable but somebody has to talk to the sideline guy. Forget about the description of plays and other observations, that damn accent is annoying as hell.
  • Based on current form my All Blacks loose forwards are No.8 Hoskins Sotutu, No.7 Ardie Savea & No.6 Akira Ioane. – PGTP ([email protected])