2017 Rugby League World Cup

Last home game for Aiton

“It has been a long career but it will definitely be the last one for me on PNG soil,” he said.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It’s all gone by really fast.”

The 32-year-old is savouring every moment of playing in his third and final Rugby League World Cup.

“I’m just happy to be part of it. There are so many young and skilful players out there, so I’m just really glad that Michael Marum and the board gave me a chance to finish and play in my third world cup.”

Aiton first made his debut for the Kumuls back in 2004.

Kiwis relaxed as sell-out awaits

Ever since star forward Jason Taumalolo, and later several other players, made the shock decision to play for Tonga rather than the Kiwis, the clash between the two nations at Waikato Stadium has been billed as the must-see match of the Rugby League World Cup group stages.

Parkop confident in Kumuls

Speaking to the media about the PNG LNG Kumuls’ recent match with the Ireland, he said Kumuls have proven their defence against the Ireland team by coming on top and moving further into the preliminary finals.

“I am very confident the PNG LNG Kumuls can go as far as meeting the Australian Kangaroos,” he states.

Parkop’s call to the PNG Kumuls is to have self-belief.

“The opportunity is really out there for us to make history.”

The Governor says he is happy that Port Moresby is part of the history making.

Tonga boosted by settled preparation

Having played at Waikato Stadium last Saturday, where they beat Samoa 32-18, Tonga have remained in Hamilton all week as they prepare to play New Zealand at the same venue, allowing for an ideal build up for the match which will decide who tops Pool B.

Former PNG Kumuls to parade on Sunday

The match will be between the PNG LNG Kumuls and USA Hawks on Sunday.

PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka said this is to honour our past heroes for the foundations they set, leading to the success and recognition we enjoy today.

“The former Kumuls were organised by Mark Mom and a meeting was arranged with the PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau in September to make this happen.

What we learned: RLWC Week 2

Hayne in class of his own

Ireland thanks PNG

In their short stay here, the whole squad plus the coaching staff visited Gerehu Primary School and Vision City.

“The thing that everybody talks about is that you can’t go out in PNG, but that’s anywhere in the world, there are places that you don’t go,” said coach Mark Aston.

“We made a decision as a group to get out there and engage with the people. We took the full squad out each time. We’re a team.

“We want to say thank you.

“We played in Cairns which was great, but personally, we thoroughly enjoyed the week in PNG.”

Ireland: Fantastic experience to play in PNG

“I’d recommend it to anyone who plays rugby league around the world. If you get the chance to come and play here, take it with two hands because the people here are absolutely magnificent.”

On the game, Finn said the win was there for the taking.

“We didn’t execute particularly well with all the field possession. We had our opportunities there to win the game.

“But we got exactly what we expected. It was tough, physical. We got exactly what we knew we were coming for. In terms of the game, we were disappointed not to get the result.

Mead: We didn’t respect them as we should have

Speaking at the press conference on Sunday, Mead said there were plenty of points on offer but the team didn’t execute their set plays as well as they did in the win over Wales.

“We’ve got guys there who can break the line on their own, but we probably just got too excited and tried to score points like we did against Wales.

“We didn’t really earn the right to play out the back kind of football.”

Mead said against Wales, the Kumuls played tough, were able to hold on to the ball and complete sets.

Kumuls secure win

This afternoon's crowd kept the home side on a high, defeating Ireland 14 points to 6.

Just five minutes into the match and Ireland drew first blood through number 9 Michael McIlorum with a successful conversion, seeing PNG trail 6-nil.

Then came Garry Lo and Ireland were lost for answers.

The Wolfhounds could not contain PNG’s mean machine, who went in flying with a try in the corner.