World Footy News

The crowd at Warrnambool's Reid Oval was cold but buzzing as the 7:30pm clash between two time International Cup runners-up Papua New Guinea lined up against the rising force in international Australian football, South Africa.

Both teams fielded 26 man squads (as possible by prior agreement between teams). The instant the game started it was clear that early predictions of a fast-paced game were accurate. Players from both sides sprinted into the contest, perhaps with more speed than wise when you need to get the footy too.

Emmaus Wartovo registered the first score for PNG, booting a long ball from around 50m. Sylvester Mangoea led nicely and marked, but he too missed his shot. Overa Gibson was the first to regain his balance after a pack contest in the goalsquare and roved the ball for a snapped goal - the Mosquitoes were flying. South Africa's vice-captain Steven Malinga took a big mark but couldn't convert from a difficult angle, the kick sliding across the face and not scoring. A running goal to Zachary Rava meant the Papuan's were now getting value for the amount of ball they were getting. A bit of niggle threatened to break out between Desmond Waluka and Simphiwe Mbhalo - one shove, two, three, then suddenly they relaxed and patted each other on the back and re-focussed on the game.

In the second quarter young talent Stanis Susuve snapped truly, and another was only held up by a great mark running back with the fly to Julian Horn. The Lions' first score came when Jayce Zidel bombed from 50m on the run, then a free kick to South Africa when a Papuan ran too far resulted in their first goal, to 18 year old Bayanda Sobetwa. Quick PNG ball movement got the ball from Wartovo to Joe Ila whose short pass to the goalsquare resulted in a mark and goal to Amua Pirika - not the last we would see of this exciting 17 year old. Richard Prinsloo displayed some Rugby skills, palming off opponents, but ran into a PNG player who displayed some his own, taking him down in a low tackle, wrapping him up from the upper legs and briefly lifting him from the ground. Two more South African forward sorties resulted in just the one point with the other shot out on the full, but they were giving a strong contest. A 15 point PNG lead at the first quarter break grew to 20 points at the half.

Former Brisbane Lions three time premiership player Mal Michael, well known to PNG as one of their own, was on hand to support ths Mosquitoes. Thabiso Phakedi scored a point for South Africa and a couple of goals could have put real scoreboard pressure on PNG. Pirika took another big mark much to the crowd's delight, and around the ground it was becoming obvious that although the South Africans were fast and reasonably well structured, the Papuans were even faster and had stronger bodies to break tackles and make theirs stick. A lead and mark to Pirika resulted in another goal and the match was almost certainly sealed.

At three quarter time the lead was 41 points and Lions coach Jason McCartney reminded the forwards they had to bring the ball to ground after having been out-marked several times. Overall he was very positive and urged for one last effort. As the temperature continued to plunge and the contest appeared over the crowds slowly dispersed, but a few hundred hardy souls stayed on to the end.

It was noticeable that as the Mozzies got further away on the scoreboard the greater their confidence and the better they played. South Africa strung together some good passages but the PNG boys were playing with an intensity the Lions had not encountered at this Cup. A couple more goals to PNG and one to South Africa and the game was over.

The African team haS progressed a lot since 2005 but last night's match showed they still have some work to do if they are to challenge for the title. Their match with Ireland to decide third and fourth will be very interesting. As for the Mozzies it's on to the Grand Final for a re-match of 2005 against New Zealand. It means they've made all three Cup deciders and it would be very sad to see them lose again. They have extraordinary pace and sideways speed. If only they would take a few settling paces before hitting the ball then accelerate they would get the ball more often and be far more dangerous. Coaches always say hit the ball at pace, but as they say, a man has to know his limitations, and too often they leave the footy behind. Their match with the Kiwis should be a high standard thriller worthy of the big stage.

Papua New Guinea
Goal Kickers: A. Pirika 4, Z. Rava, E. Wartovo, O. Gibson, J. Vincent, S. Susuve
Best Players: A. Pirika, J. Logha, S. Susuve, D. Barry, P. Milaure, J. Ila
South Africa
Goal Kickers: S. Boki, B. Sobetwa
Best Players: S. Mbhalo, S. Sethibe, V. Gqiba, S. Boki, B. Mitchell, T. Phakedi

PNG		South Africa
2.3 (15)	1/4	0.0 (0)
4.4 (28)	1/2	1.2 (8)
7.8 (50)	3/4	1.3 (9)
9.8 (62)	Full	2.3 (15)

Apologies for lack of photos - we hope to obtain some later and will add them here.