Rugby league legend Cooper Cronk has signalled where the game will be won and lost for Queensland and New South Wales in Game II. The Blues came into the series opener full of confidence before rookie coach Billy Slater knocked them down a peg with a tactical masterclass. Queensland came away with a 16-10 win at Accor Stadium in Sydney and now Brad Fittler’s band of Blues will put it all on the line to secure a series decider. Fittler has made several key changes to his NSW side, while Slater has only made changes out of necessity after injuries. The former Storm and Maroons legend singled out the Blues middle forwards as the key to their victory, while pinpointing how Queensland can combat their rampaging pack. BLUES’ RAMPAGING PACK The NSW forward pack was heavily criticised following the series opener. Pundits explained they were beaten convincingly in the ruck and provided minimal cover for star halfback Nathan Cleary to pull the strings. Queensland’s forwards, including debutants Reuben Cotter and Patrick Carrigan, charged down the field off the back of quick ruck speed. Meanwhile, the Blues struggled to dent Billy Slater’s well-drilled defensive line. Now, Cronk has highlighted the NSW middle forwards as the key to cracking the game open and allowing Cleary, Luai and Tedesco to play free-flowing, attacking football. “I think the key to the game will be the start of NSW’s forwards, if they get up and running at the start which I expect,” Cronk said to foxsports.com.au. “Junior Paulo, Isaah Yeo, Payne Haas and Jake Trbojevic, you put those four down as the key for NSW for me. “I think if they start well and get the momentum and the grunt that obviously Cleary and the like need, I think that is the key to NSW’s victory.” Picture courtesy: nrl.com

It has been a rapid rise to representative honours for 21-year-old Sylvester Namo. After making his debut for Lae Snax Tigers under now Kumuls coach Stanley Tepend in 2020 and joining the SP PNG HUNTERS in 2021, Namo will make his Kumuls debut in tonight’s Pacific Test against Fiji. “It has been a really good week,” the Goroka-born, Mount Hagen-raised prop told PNG Kumuls Media. “I’ve enjoyed the boys’ company and the camp here. We’ve got to know each other well and can’t wait to play together. “I’ve particularly got to know Justin Olam, David Mead and Lachlan Lam, and one thing I’ve learnt from them is to enjoy every moment of this experience, because it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around often and it’s a short camp that will just come and go.” When he runs onto the field for the PNG LNG Kumuls tonight, Namo will be thinking not only of his parents back in PNG, but also of his mother figure on the Gold Coast, where he and his Hunters teammates have been based since 2021. “Her name is Tessa and she’s our unofficial Mum up there,” he explains. “She’s there if we need help with anything, she cooks for us sometimes, and she’s like a mother to us on the Gold Coast, our home away from home. She has travelled down to Sydney for this match, so I’m looking forward to running out in front of her.”

VA’A – 1 x Bronze Bronze – Women’s 24km V6 Marathon TENNIS – 4 x gold, 2 x silver Gold – Women’s Singles – Violet Apisah Gold – Mixed Doubles – Matthew Stubbings & Violet Apisah Gold – Women’s Doubles – Violet & Patricia Apisah Gold – Women’s Team Events – Violet Apisah, Abigail Tere-Apisah & Patrica Apisah. Silver – Men’s Singles – Matthew Stubbings Silver – Women’s Singles - Abigail Tere-Apisah [caption id="attachment_22946" align="alignnone" width="675"] Picture Courtesy: Team PNG Facebook page[/caption] ATHLETICS – 5 x Gold, 7  x Silver, 7 x Bronze  Men's - Hammer Throw Athletes: DEBONO PARAKA Medal: Silver Men's - Ambulant Shot Put Athletes: MOREA MARAROS Medal: Bronze Women's - 100m Hurdles Athletes: ADRINE MONAGI Medal: Gold Men's - 110m Hurdles Athletes: DANIEL BAUL Medal: Silver [caption id="attachment_22947" align="alignnone" width="675"] Picture Courtesy: Team PNG Facebook page[/caption] Women's - High Jump Athletes: RELLIE KAPUTIN Medal: Gold Women's - 5,000m Athletes: SCHOLASTICA HERMAN Medal: Bronze Women's - 5,000m Athletes: MARY TENGE Medal: Silver Women's - 200m Athletes: ISILA APKUP Medal: Bronze Women's - 200m Athletes: LEONIE BEU Medal: Silver Women's - 200m Athletes: TOEA WISIL Medal: Gold Men's - 200m Athletes: TERENCE TALIO Medal: Bronze Men's Athletics Men's - 200m Athletes: LEROY KAMAU Medal: Silver Men's - 1,500m Athletes: AQUILA TURALOM Medal: Bronze [caption id="attachment_22948" align="alignnone" width="675"] Picture Courtesy: Team PNG Facebook page[/caption] Men's - 1,500m Athletes: GEORGE YAMAK Medal: Silver Men's - Triple Jump Athletes: PENIEL RICHARD Medal: Bronze Women's - Heptathalon Athletes: MONICA KOROWI Medal: Silver Women's - Heptathalon Athletes: EDNA BOAFOB Medal: Gold Women's Athletics Women's - Ambulant Shot Put Athletes: DONNA LONGBUT Medal: Bronze Men's Athletics Men's - 4X400m Relay Athletes: DANIEL BAUL, JONATHAN DENDE, LEROY KAMAU, SHADRICK TANSI Medal: Gold

Kumuls debutant winger Robert Derby grew up “all over PNG” as part of a globetrotting childhood that took him from Mendi to Vietnam, and eventually to Far North Queensland. The 20-year-old, who plays for Cairns-based Northern Pride in the Hostplus Cup, told PNG Kumuls Media about his upbringing. “My Mum is from a small village called Busamung in Morobe. She lived there until she was 18 and then moved around PNG. She was living in Mendi when she was pregnant with me but had to go to Port Moresby to give birth, so I was born there. I grew up in Mendi, Busamung, Goroka, Mount Hagen, pretty much everywhere because my Dad was a civil engineer so wherever he went for work, we went too. “I was about four years old when we moved to Vietnam for his work, but we went back and forth between Vietnam and PNG until I was about seven, and when I was eight we moved to Cairns but still went back to PNG three or four times a year.” Now settled in Far North Queensland, the youngster has been picked up by the North Queensland Cowboys as part of their young guns program until at least the end of 2023 and will soon begin training full-time with their NRL squad. But first, he is relishing the opportunity to represent his country. “The Kumuls camp has been an unreal experience so far, just getting around the boys. Everyone is so friendly and wants to get to know you. It has just been a privilege, but it’s not a given thing. We all deserve to be here and we all worked pretty hard to get here, so hopefully we can rip in today's game”

Hekari United FC and Lae City FC are looking for a tough match when they meet in a one-off OFC Champions League play-off at the PNG Football Stadium on Saturday in Port Moresby. Two Captains Daniel Joe (Hekari) and Emmanuel Simon (Lae City) said they expect a tough game. "We came prepared for this and will give our best shot on Saturday. Both teams are injury free and the supporters should expect a good game come Game Day. Coach David Muta said Lae City FC is the current Champion and Hekari will have to work extra hard to beat them. "They are a champion oufit but my young guns will be there to give them a good game," he said. "This will be my first job as a coach and will give my best barking orders from sidelines," the former Hekari skipper said. "We are not treating Hekari United FC lightly", Lae City FC skipper Emmanuel Simon said.

Highland Eastern-end Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Rigga Neggi has stated that as of this week all political rallies or gatherings within the township of Mt Hagen must be sanctioned by the Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander. Commander Neggi issued this instruction when condemning the actions of two Hagen Open electorate candidates Mr William Duma and Mr James Yoka for the disruption caused to Government and commercial services in the heart of Mt Hagen city, on Tuesday 21st of June. He said the swift response of the security forces on the ground contained the situation but it could have been much worse. He said Police have stepped up special security operations and road blocks around Mt Hagen to prevent further reckless behaviours going into the polling period. The fight between the two candidates’ supporters allegedly began when Mr Yoka’s supporters during a rally at the Pope John Paul Oval stoned one of Mr Duma’s supporter’s vehicle. A fight broke out but was quickly quelled by the Quick Response Force (QRF). It was further alleged that Mr Duma’s supporters then ambushed the rally goers at Kalakai and set alight a vehicle belonging to Mr Yoka’s supporters as they were returning. Commander Neggi commended his officers for their swift response in taking control of the situation and preventing it from escalating further. Deputy Highlands Eastern-end Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop said the national election is an important event for the people to exercise their constitutional rights to vote for a leader of their choice without fear, threats or intimidation. “I appeal to the people, especially youths, to understand the importance of this event that comes once every five years,” Mr Tondop said. Police have issued a stern warning to all the intending candidates to take control of their supporters and their emotions or else they will be held responsible. Images sourced: Hagen Current Affairs

PNG LNG Kumuls camp has been a reunion of sorts for McKenzie Yei. The man from Mount Hagen played for Mount Hagen Eagles and Hela Wigmen before joining SP PNG HUNTERS in 2018 and their Hostplus Cup rivals, Rockhampton-based Rockhampton Leagues Club Capras for the 2020 season. So, this week’s Pacific Test in Campbelltown has been a chance to reconnect with many of his former teammates. “This has been the best week of my life,” he told PNG Kumuls Media. “Being back with everyone this week is like catching up with long-lost friends. I’m so happy to see them again, especially the boys who I knew from back then. Getting selected for the Kumuls is really a dream come true and it’s hard to express in words – I’m still emotional.” The 25-year-old says he has also enjoyed spending time with the Kumuls’ NRL-based stars. “Guys like David (Mead) and Alex (Johnston) have told me some of the things about how they prepare for a game – it’s good to learn from them. “I’d heard stories about being part of the Kumuls before but to see it with my own eyes and experience it myself is just amazing.”

EU Funded UN Joint STREIT PNG Programme, as part of its mission to support efforts towards reducing rural poverty, is engaging local communities with a focus on struggling single parents as a support workforce for maintenance of 18 selected farm-to-market roads in the Sepik region. Led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the creation of these employment opportunities in remote communities where there are limited income-generating activities because of lack of accessible roads to markets is a relief to many disadvantaged households. This month the ILO team visited some of these beneficiaries who are employed in the Road Maintenance Groups (RMGs) working on a 17.7km-long Walkasa Mai-Wanwan road and an 8km-long Yiminum-Wilbowe road in the Nuku District of Sandaun Province. For the beneficiaries, this is a lifetime opportunity for a regular and steady income to support their and their families' everyday needs, and one important concern for the struggling families is paying for their siblings' and kids' school fees and associate costs. Among the struggling families are some widows like Marathia, aged 59, from Yiminum Village, who works on the Yiminum-Wilbowe road. "My husband died, and we were really struggling because our families have their own problems to take care of. Now, I'm very happy with this job which I joined last year. It helps with school fees for my children," said Marathia. Marathia was left with five children to support, including one who is attending final year studies at a vocational training nearby. With the income as an RMG, she was able to pay PGK 500 school fee last year and early this year she paid PGK 250. She said the community is also happy to see her contribution in a job they usually see as for men only. For youths like Jena Suwa this employment opens a new window to their life. She was not able to complete her studies after year 10 in 2018. "I'm very happy today because I was doing nothing in the house. I will now save some money to prepare to go back to school to become a nurse," said Jena. Sony Apo is another youth who completed Grade 8 in 2015 and is looking forward to some money to upgrade. He dreams of becoming a carpenter to continue the legacy of his late 'big daddy'. "Big daddy was the only skilled man we had in the family, and now I'm ready to become a carpenter as well," he said. The main works that encompass the road routine maintenance aspect to be undertaken by the RMGs include pothole patching, vegetation clearing, drainage and general cleaning along the road in preparation for engagement of a contractor to perform specific maintenance on these farm-to-market access and feeder roads. Safety gears and road maintenance tools like boots, gloves, vests, safety helmets, spades, hoes, wheelbarrows were also among the tools and equipment provided and distributed by the EU-STREIT PNG Programme among the RMGs' members. During the visits, the Programme's Community Facilitator, Rachel Bowie also shared with the RMGs to demonstrate commitment in their work to take ownership in the routine maintenance of these roads because it will serve them, their families and their fellow community members. The mission also conducted a drone survey of a 14km-long Nanaha-Tau LLG access road in the Ambunti-Drekikier District, East Sepik Province. In consultation with Ward Members, locals, including youths and women, were also recruited to form RMGs to conduct routine maintenance for this road that will also service Drekikier Secondary. Under the Programme selection criteria, one RMG comprises six members that must have at least two females. The group must also have representation from youths, single parents whose partners have died or have deserted them and traditional owners of land the road passes through. The Programme, in partnership with MiBank, a local financial institution, is implementing cashless transactions and banking for rural farmers by opening bank accounts for these RMGs, and their payment is deposited directly at the end of every month. This arrangement encourages rural farmers to save and grow their earnings, which can be used to access small loan benefits. Under this rural agriculture development programme, 18 rural roads in the Sepik region totalling close to 300 km in length are being maintained or upgraded with the help of RMGs to support the market access initiative implemented by the EU-STREIT PNG Programme for rural and farming communities to boost agriculture production and agribusiness activities pertaining to three targeted cocoa, vanilla and fisheries agri-food value chains for an improved income and cash flow for the rural communities. The roads will also support other agricultural, business, social and community activities and facilities like schools, aid posts and health centres that are in dire need of better accessible roads. The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, being implemented as a UN Joint Programme (FAO as the leading agency, and ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP as partners), is the largest grant-funded Programme of the European Union in the country and the Pacific region. The Programme aims to help improve the lives of the people from East Sepik and Sandaun provinces, by focusing on increasing sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas through improved economic returns and opportunities from cocoa, vanilla and fishery value chains while strengthening and improving the efficiency of value chain enablers, including the business environment, and supporting sustainable, climate-proof transport and energy infrastructure development.

Over the period 14 to 18 June 2022, the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Major General Mark B.G. Goina, DMS, CBE, undertook a visit to PNGDF operational locations in the Highlands as part of the PNGDF preparations to support the 2022 National Elections NATEL 22) The CDF was accompanied by members of his senior staff, members of the Department of Defence and the resident Defence Representatives from Australia, the United State and Indonesia. The international Defence Advisors and Attachés were invited to allow them to fully understand the commitment of the PNGDF to supporting the delivery of NATEL 22 and to be able to appreciate the testing operational conditions faced by the deployed PNGDF personnel. CDF also thanked our defence partners for their support in preparing the PNGDF personnel involved in NATE22. The CDF and his guests visited the Task Force Headquarters at Mt Hagen, the Forward Operating base at Tari and the Forward Operating Position at Pogera. At each location they met with members of the local administration and RPNGC and were briefed on the security issues faced by the PNGDF troops operating there. When talking to the local administration and deployed personnel the CDF stressed that the role of the PNGDF was clear in that they were deploying to the Highlands Region in support of the Electoral Commission and the RPNGC. He also reiterated that any groups or individuals that look to disrupt or illegally influence the polling process will be dealt with quickly and efficiently, and that along with the RPNGC and Corrections Service (CS) the 1000 deployed PNGDF personnel were focused on delivering a safe and secure environment for free, fair and transparent elections to occur. He also reminded our partners and local administrators that throughout the NATEL 22 process, the PNGDF will continue to undertake its business-as-usual tasks along the border and at sea protecting our sovereignty, our prosperity and most importantly our people from harm. The CDF and party, along with the Secretary for Defence were also present at the official launching of the Highlands National Election 2022 Operations in which nearly 300 members of the RPNGC, PNGDF and CS were on parade.

Epel Kapinias hails from East New Britain province and began his career with the Agmark Gurias in PNG’s Digicel Cup Digicel Cup competition before joining the SP PNG HUNTERS in 2019. After three seasons at the Hunters, the 24-year-old prop joined Hostplus Cup rivals Wynnum Manly Seagulls this year and is enjoying life at the Brisbane-based club. “When I came here to Australia, I knew opportunities would come my way if I keep my consistency and play well week in, week out,” he said. “It’s great to be part of the Kumuls team this week and I’m looking forward to learning a lot from the senior boys here such as David Mead, Justin Olam, Alex Johnston and Wartovo Puara. I can’t wait to run out onto the field this Saturday and hopefully I’ll get called up for the World Cup too.” PNG LNG Kumuls captain David Mead, who has played alongside Epel at Wynnum Manly added: “Epel is an exciting young talent. He is always keen to learn, and my first impressions of him were that he is always seeking feedback from the coach. It will be exciting to see him pull on the Kumuls jersey this week.”

Emmanuel Waine speaks with genuine emotion about his upcoming PNG LNG Kumuls debut against Fiji in the Pacific Test on Saturday. Of mixed parentage from Jiwaka and Simbu, the 25-year-old is following in the footsteps of his trailblazing uncle to represent the Kumuls – something he never thought he would achieve. “My uncle, Goie Waine, was Kumul #128 and made his debut in 1990 against New Zealand in Goroka,” Emmanuel explains. “When we were growing up, he used to say to me and my seven brothers, ‘I was once a Kumul, but I don’t know if you guys will make it or not’. Hearing that from him always made me think about being a Kumul. There are not many rugby league players from where we come from in Jiwaka, and I’m the first one since him to play for the Kumuls. “After I got the news I called my uncle in Jiwaka and he was crying, he was so happy. Yesterday he video called me while I was here in Kumuls camp. He was with my parents, who had just gone to buy a new TV and generator to make sure they can watch the game on Saturday. I was with Justin Olam so he talked to them too, and we were all excited.” While Goie Waine made just two appearances for the Kumuls, nephew Emmanuel hopes to surpass that. “For as long as I play rugby league, my dream is to play as often for the Kumuls as David Mead did,” reveals Emmanuel. “I don’t want to be a one-time Kumul. “When I run out for PNG on Saturday I’ll be thinking of my family, the legacy of my uncle, my Mum who worked so hard to raise us nine kids, and everyone in my province who has always supported me with positivity in my rugby league career.”

Jacob Alick will be playing in memory of his grandmother when he pulls on the PNG LNG Kumuls jersey for the first time on Saturday in the Pacific Test against Fiji. “It will be a very proud moment for myself and my family, just to represent my grandmother,” the 22-year-old told PNG Kumuls media. “She was born in Daru but she passed away maybe 10 years ago now, so I didn’t really get to grow up too much with my PNG culture. “So, for me, this week is about learning a lot about the culture. I’m looking forward to learning a bit of the language (TokPisin). I hear the boys talking over lunch, so it would be cool to pick up more words. I’d also like to learn a bit more about where I’m from. A couple of the boys here know about where I’m from, so I’ll just be asking questions and trying to get to know a bit more about PNG overall.” Alick, who is contracted to the Gold Coast Titans until the end of 2023, has not yet set foot in PNG but is hoping to do so later this year. He said: “I’ve seen a lot of videos of how crazy they go when the footy is on, so it’ll be cool to get over there. “It’s a massive opportunity being selected for the Kumuls in a World Cup year. I’m looking to put my best foot forward for the end of the year for the Rugby League World Cup. To be there would be the pinnacle for me.”