In case you missed it, there was a rugby league international on the weekend between the PNG Kumuls and the Prime Minister’s XIII which featured plenty of test regulars, but one of the big questions to come out of it was where was the PNG v PMs XIII TV Coverage.
You probably did miss it, as it wasn’t shown anywhere official.
Apparently despite an Australian representative team playing, it wasn’t enough of a game to warrant any form of coverage.
With the NRL Grand Final done and dusted, perhaps the NRL forgot that rugby league exists outside of the major competition.
They did make an official statement regarding the game along technical lines, but please.
The NRL have stunk this year, being a real feel of amateur hour this year.
They seem consumed only with selling jerseys and changing rules to piss fans off all year.
The only coverage available was via Chairman Peter Beattie’s twitter account. As great as that was, and a rare occasion to applaud the man who has been lampooned for not being able to tell Newcastle and Barcelona, it was courtesy of someone holding up a phone and following the play.
PNG did very well in the game, pushing Australia more than usual, and if only for a poor start could have been really close. Our thoughts on what happened can be found here.
But why should fans settle for a twitter feed.
Is there a conspiracy about not showing PNG games?
Interesting that a full strength Kangaroos play Samoa and New Zealand and get full TV broadcasting, yet PNG get a half strength Australian side and no coverage.
Probably not, knowing rugby league administrators, it will be all about money. But it seems that rugby league can’t be arsed spending any money or time on PNG rugby league.
Let’s not forget that somehow the PNG Hunters, one of the Intrust Super Cup’s more interesting teams and defending premiers didn’t get one single TV game in 2018. Fair enough don’t send the cameras to Port Moresby, but they played 12 away game.
There is coverage via the local subscription TV for Hunters home games, why can’t this simply be used at a cost. Put a commentary team based in Australia over the top if you are offended by the local commentators. Although we really enjoy their enthusiasm.
Yes, we are big PNG rugby league fans, with a respect for Willie Minoga that borders on a little weird, but they are a good time rugby league team to watch with plenty of variety. Or at least something different to the usual drudgery of the NRL sometimes.
One will be looking with great interest with how Fiji’s games are treated when they make their Intrust Super Premiership debut. No doubt the better run NSWRL will find a way to look after Fiji like the QRL don’t do with PNG.
Save us Fox League, pick up some PNG rugby league in the future.
