- Banned
- #1
JUNIOR KANGAROOS IGNORE BLAZING GUNS AND DOGS TO BEAT PNG
20 October 2002
The Junior Kangaroos ignored a dog attack on one of its players and armed guards firing rifles to post a 36-28 victory over Papua New Guinea in a rugby league international in Port Moresby today.
In a match played under bizarre conditions in searing humidity, Penrith winger Luke Rooney scored the clincher in the 78th minute after PNG led 18-16 at halftime.
But it was an incident following a try four minutes earlier to Australian captain and Bulldogs first division five-eighth Jonathon Thurston which tested the visitors' nerves.
Thurston, who also kicked four goals in the match, scored under the posts and converted his try to give his team a 32-28 lead.
Parts of the 10,500 crowd then surged towards the field but they were held back by guard dogs and security officers firing into the ground.
Junior Kangaroos fullback Steve Irwin became a casualty as the Brisbane Bronco was bitten on the hip by one of the dogs.
Thurston, fresh from winning a first division premiership two weeks ago at Telstra Stadium, commented at the team's hotel tonight: "It was very exciting.
"You don't normally play in a game where's there gunfire going so it's something I'll always remember."
Thurston told the story of players' man-of-the-match and Manly forward Anthony Watmough refusing to go through a planned move after hearing a volley of gunfire coming from the sideline.
Australian coach Shane Flanagan was prepared for some local bias but even he was bewildered when the referee awarded seven straight penalties to the home side, which eventually led to their final try.
"We also had three tries disallowed, it was crazy," Flanagan said. "We did expect it but I didn't know how bad it would be."
Flanagan praised the composure of his youngsters after they trailed 28-26 with 10 minutes to go and defended bravely following the lopsided penalty count.
He said of Thurston's try to put Australia in front: "He just hung in there and didn't change his game too much, he knew it would come.
"Most of our players did, they were pretty good about it. They were up against players who were 34-years-old and they could've easily lost their bundle but they didn't.
"They just hung in there and they got them."
Flanagan predicted Thurston, understudy to Bulldogs star Braith Anasta, would be a name to watch once he bulked up his 77kg frame.
credit: www.nrl.com
wow, pretty crazy! Much like 10yrs ago, when tear gas went off during a touring game involving the Kangaroos. Its a wacky place, but they are passionate league people. Its the only country in the world where league is their national game.
Moffo
20 October 2002
The Junior Kangaroos ignored a dog attack on one of its players and armed guards firing rifles to post a 36-28 victory over Papua New Guinea in a rugby league international in Port Moresby today.
In a match played under bizarre conditions in searing humidity, Penrith winger Luke Rooney scored the clincher in the 78th minute after PNG led 18-16 at halftime.
But it was an incident following a try four minutes earlier to Australian captain and Bulldogs first division five-eighth Jonathon Thurston which tested the visitors' nerves.
Thurston, who also kicked four goals in the match, scored under the posts and converted his try to give his team a 32-28 lead.
Parts of the 10,500 crowd then surged towards the field but they were held back by guard dogs and security officers firing into the ground.
Junior Kangaroos fullback Steve Irwin became a casualty as the Brisbane Bronco was bitten on the hip by one of the dogs.
Thurston, fresh from winning a first division premiership two weeks ago at Telstra Stadium, commented at the team's hotel tonight: "It was very exciting.
"You don't normally play in a game where's there gunfire going so it's something I'll always remember."
Thurston told the story of players' man-of-the-match and Manly forward Anthony Watmough refusing to go through a planned move after hearing a volley of gunfire coming from the sideline.
Australian coach Shane Flanagan was prepared for some local bias but even he was bewildered when the referee awarded seven straight penalties to the home side, which eventually led to their final try.
"We also had three tries disallowed, it was crazy," Flanagan said. "We did expect it but I didn't know how bad it would be."
Flanagan praised the composure of his youngsters after they trailed 28-26 with 10 minutes to go and defended bravely following the lopsided penalty count.
He said of Thurston's try to put Australia in front: "He just hung in there and didn't change his game too much, he knew it would come.
"Most of our players did, they were pretty good about it. They were up against players who were 34-years-old and they could've easily lost their bundle but they didn't.
"They just hung in there and they got them."
Flanagan predicted Thurston, understudy to Bulldogs star Braith Anasta, would be a name to watch once he bulked up his 77kg frame.
credit: www.nrl.com
wow, pretty crazy! Much like 10yrs ago, when tear gas went off during a touring game involving the Kangaroos. Its a wacky place, but they are passionate league people. Its the only country in the world where league is their national game.
Moffo