Episode 20 – The History of Rugby League in PNG

Posted on by That's the Way It Was

On the 16th of September 1975, a ceremony is held in Port Moresby – Papua New Guinea. Diplomats from Australia and the United Nations have gathered to witness the birth of a new Nation. As with any new born,  Papua New Guinea has its high points and its low moments.

But as the diplomats flew out of Port Moresby in their jet airliners, another bird was just arriving.

For the game of Rugby League, this bird was paradise !

Papua V New Guinea inter-territorial matches were played twice a year. The 1st played for the Austin Ireland Shield, the 2nd played for the W.R. McConnon Shield.
During the 1950’s and 1960’s, many teams from Papua and New Guinea would tour Australia
Bal Numapo’s representative career began in 1983 with the Highland Zone. Kumul No. 85 represented PNG between 1984 – 1991. His 27 international matches for the Kumul’s is a record, 7 of those as captain.
Don Fox went from a goal-kicking front-rower for Magani in Port Moresby to the Chairman of the PNGRFL. Many say  that ‘ he saved the game of Rugby League in PNG’.
Team locations of the PNG  Inter-City competition.
Inter-City Championship – Premiers 1990 – 2021.


Acknowledgements;

-David Silovo is a historian and an independent match observer for the Digicel Cup. He also serves on the Port Moresby Rugby League Judiciary.

-PNG Post Courier

-PNG Attitude – various articles by Keith Jackson.

-Tom Adamson – Qld/PNG Rugby League –  https://www.qldpngrugbyleague.com

-Rugby League News

-Wikipedia

– PNG Hunters – team song

  • Apologies, there were telecommunication problems during the interview.