DIEHARD
25-04-07, 11:52 AM
PNG upset over World Cup draw
By HENRY MORABANG
PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League will officially lodge a protest with the International Rugby League board over its 2008 World Cup draw which was launched recently in Sydney, Australia. And pulling out altogether from the World Cup next year was an option which may be considered.
PNGRFL chairman Sir Bob Sinclair said yesterday that PNG as a permanent member of the international board was not consulted when the draw was done.
Sir Bob said this clearly showed that IRB had no respect for PNG rugby league.
The draw was done by a three-member committee representing Australia, New Zealand and England. Even France, another permanent member, was not consulted even though Frenchman Tas Baiteri is the IRL board development officer.
?There is no meeting whatsoever on how the World Cup draw was put together. It?s a complete joke,? a disappointed Sir Bob told The National yesterday.
Sir Bob said there were still outstanding qualifying rounds matches for the three remaining spot in the draw therefore it was premature for IRLB to finalise the draw.
?It is like sending the lamb to the slaughter house,? Sir Bob said of the draw which pitted PNG against the super powers of the game ? Australia, New Zealand and England ? in Pool A.
Sir Bob said PNG may pull out of the 2008 World Cup, but this decision would come from the PNG Rugby League Board and all its stakeholders.
?The fact remains that Papua New Guinea as permanent member was never consulted and IRLB treated us with disrespect. We might as well start our own on World Cup, involving New Zealand Maori, Australia Aboriginals, Pacific Islanders and Wales,? he said.
?We received no assistance from the super powers. How do they expect the game to be developed and they show no respect at all to PNG as member country on the international board?? Sir Bob said.
PNG Kumul assistant coach Marcus Bai told The National from Gold Coast, Australia, yesterday that he was also disappointed and disgusted at the treatment that PNG was getting from the International Rugby League board.
?I find it very hard to take it in. IRLB never considered PNG when rugby league is the number one sports in the country,? the former Kumul winger said.
He said the former Kumul coach Bob Bennett was equally disappointed with the draw when contacted.
http://www.thenational.com.pg
By HENRY MORABANG
PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League will officially lodge a protest with the International Rugby League board over its 2008 World Cup draw which was launched recently in Sydney, Australia. And pulling out altogether from the World Cup next year was an option which may be considered.
PNGRFL chairman Sir Bob Sinclair said yesterday that PNG as a permanent member of the international board was not consulted when the draw was done.
Sir Bob said this clearly showed that IRB had no respect for PNG rugby league.
The draw was done by a three-member committee representing Australia, New Zealand and England. Even France, another permanent member, was not consulted even though Frenchman Tas Baiteri is the IRL board development officer.
?There is no meeting whatsoever on how the World Cup draw was put together. It?s a complete joke,? a disappointed Sir Bob told The National yesterday.
Sir Bob said there were still outstanding qualifying rounds matches for the three remaining spot in the draw therefore it was premature for IRLB to finalise the draw.
?It is like sending the lamb to the slaughter house,? Sir Bob said of the draw which pitted PNG against the super powers of the game ? Australia, New Zealand and England ? in Pool A.
Sir Bob said PNG may pull out of the 2008 World Cup, but this decision would come from the PNG Rugby League Board and all its stakeholders.
?The fact remains that Papua New Guinea as permanent member was never consulted and IRLB treated us with disrespect. We might as well start our own on World Cup, involving New Zealand Maori, Australia Aboriginals, Pacific Islanders and Wales,? he said.
?We received no assistance from the super powers. How do they expect the game to be developed and they show no respect at all to PNG as member country on the international board?? Sir Bob said.
PNG Kumul assistant coach Marcus Bai told The National from Gold Coast, Australia, yesterday that he was also disappointed and disgusted at the treatment that PNG was getting from the International Rugby League board.
?I find it very hard to take it in. IRLB never considered PNG when rugby league is the number one sports in the country,? the former Kumul winger said.
He said the former Kumul coach Bob Bennett was equally disappointed with the draw when contacted.
http://www.thenational.com.pg