PETE’S PUNCHLINE

The National Sports

  • It would be nice if we, the public, received an update from time to time on the progress of preparations for the PNG Games in Southern Highlands. Can our scribes in Hagen take a bus to Mendi and see what’s going? They can stop over at Kagua and Walum and take pictures too.
  • While I was busy watching Australia lose in Brisbane last week, I was reminded that our own Barramundis are set to make their T20 World Cup debut this year. Can’t wait to watch skipper Assad, CJ, Stormin Norman, and the rest of the crew test themselves on the world stage. Good luck gentlemen.
  • Hopefully, the PNG Basketball Federation can organise some programmes at the Taurama Aquatic Centre soon. Need to get onto a court and shoot some ball. I hear it’s good for your cardio.
  • Dan Russell is with the Storm on a train-and-trial basis. Hopefully, Bellamy can turn him into a dangerous edge forward. Thanks Craig, do it for the Kumuls 2021 World Cup campaign. We’ll call it another contribution to the cause. For those who aren’t aware, Bellamy was the Kumuls trainer for the 2000 World Cup. Legend has it he rode them so hard the players were happy to see him go at the end of it.
  • Silly of me talking up the 2021 Super Rugby season last Friday but forgetting to mention the South African domestic comp that was into its semifinals. The Currie Cup final this Saturday will be between Natal Sharks and Blue Bulls. Sharks beat Western province 19-9 and the Bulls saw off the Golden Lions 26-21. Watched both matches and it was good to see Springboks like Duane Vermulen (Bulls) and Siya Kolisi (WP) in action as was the fact that Morne Steyn (Bulls) and Willem Alberts (Lions) are still going around these days. I’ve got the Sharks to win.
  • Wow, Boogie Cousins still has something. Big man had 28 and another old hand Eric Gordon shot 33 to put the burners on the Mavs 133-108. And here I thought Cousins would be as useful to Houston as Carmelo was a couple of seasons ago. Good for him.
  • I don’t think the Nets play much defence. Every game is a shootout. They may have some high caliber gunslingers (that pun was intended) but there are teams in the league that can rattle off rounds just as good as them but also have elite defence.
  • The fact that the jury at Jack de Belin’s trial couldn’t come up with a unanimous decision means he wasn’t guilty of the charge against him. I think the police/prosecution tried to get him jailed for an indiscretion that’s closer to a misdemeanour than a felony. Just fine the man and let him get back on the field and earn some money. His best years are being wasted. His new trial is in April. – PGTP ([email protected])