PNG fans win trial match

By LEMACH LAVARI
THE Brisbane Broncos versus PNG Hunters trial game on Feb 24 at the National Football Stadium (NFS) in Port Moresby was a blockbuster in its own way.
Typical of the PNG rugby fans, the big hits and tries from the home team brought out the loudest cheers from them.
Spectators were reminded throughout the game, through the PA system and on the big screens, that anyone who invaded the field after the game would be charged K10, 000, and banned for life from the stadium.
Players from both teams also were refrained from coming close to the fence to farewell their fans after the match, much to the disappointment of the fans.
That did not deter the Broncos diehards in PNG though.
As the Broncos came halfway past the Eastern Stand towards the North after the match, fans started showering them with gifts of bilums (string bags), woolen-caps, PNG flags and necklaces. Someone even threw a tapa cloth (beaten tree bark) hat that flew like a frisbee and landed at the foot of Brisbane winger Corey Oats.
A delighted Oats picked it up and wore it with a big smile.
Guards had to help collect the gifts to hand over to the visiting players.
A fan beside me quipped, “Ol Hunters yah noken wari lo ol, mama blo ol ba wokim bilum blo ol.
Givim go lo ol visitor blo yumi.” (Don’t worry about the Hunters (players), their mothers will make them bilums. Worry about our visitors instead.)”
Presenting someone with a bilum in PNG is a sign of respect and honour.
That goodwill action by admiring fans was a great culmination of a sporting event that will, no doubt, go down in PNG’s rugby league history.
Broncos captain Alex Glen said in an article posted on the team’s website “This is my first time to PNG. I heard of the strong following we have.”
“But I didn’t expect it to be this big and passionate.
We were treated like rock stars. We are going to remember this trip for the rest of our lives.”
“Your welcome was phenomenal. It is an experience I will always cherish. I have a lot of respect for the PNG community for the respect you have shown to our club”
Stand-in Coach Jason Demetriou said “The few days here, the crowd, and the way the Hunters played is a great representation of the people.
It has been an honor to be here and compete with a team that puts so much in.”
It was a chance for the visitors to see how much their neighbors to the north love their game of rugby.
A try by Hunters half back Watson Boas from a grubber kick a minute from half time brought everyone to their feet; 15, 000 men, women and children all rising in one loud voice.
Even those in Broncos colors could not help but join in the celebration.
A man sitting two seats to my left in a Broncos jersey was also cheering on the Hunters.
His friend beside him asked “Hey hau yu werim Broncos na sapotim Hunters stap?” (Why are you in a Broncos jersey and supporting the Hunters?) To much laughter from people around him, he replied “Nogat ya em jersey nating yah, blood em bikpla samting.” (It’s just a jersey, blood relation is more important.)”
Another thunderous cheer erupted after a penalty kick by the Broncos didn’t find touch and Willie ‘The-Wapenamanda-Mack-Truck’ Minoga made the ball return from 35 meters out from his goal line.
The defenders were still some 20 metres away and the crowed started spurring their man on.
That egging was with such intensity that anyone looking to run into the defense would have done so without second thoughts.
Minoga did just that. He ran at top speed into Broncos recruit forward Tevitah Pengai Jnr and Anthony Milford.
Pengai was knocked off his feet but managed to hold onto Minoga’s legs.
Milford bounced off like a pin ball but managed to come back in a second effort to bring down his opponent with support of teammates.
The impact again brought on one of the most deafening cheers from the home crowd.
Then, there was Broncos trainer and Australian rugby great, Allan “Alfie” Langer’s race against touch judge Livingstone Samson down the sideline towards the Northern stand. Alfie didn’t lose his legs; he beat Samson in the 40 meter race to the touch line.
“Alfie! Alfie! Alfie!” The crowd roared. A smile and thumbs up was his response.
The Broncos came from behind at halftime to clinch victory with a 26-12 win at the final whistle.
A spectator likened the game to a test match saying it was very physical.
I am a die-hard Brisbane Broncos supporter, but am also a staunch national like so many others who flocked to the stadium that day.
The problem was, tickets to the game were a sell-out and with everyone so excited to have a whole Brisbane Broncos team play on our turf for the first time ever, we really had no problem supporting both teams.
Rugby league fans in PNG were the real winners last week.
And it was all thanks to the efforts of Brisbane Broncos and PNG Rugby League managements.