TERRY EDWINSMITH

A STRONG RUGBY UNION CULTURE was well established in PNG prior to Independence in 1975 with the Australian Army well represented in local and area teams as well as in coaching and referee roles.

It is generally believed that rugby football came to Australia and New Zealand from the early 1880s, as elite young men returned from studying at English public schools.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the game had spread beyond the British Empire and gained acceptance worldwide.

Following World War I, a five nations competition commenced. In the southern hemisphere, the New Zealand Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, donated a trophy for matches between Australia and New Zealand.

Soon after, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa embraced the game.

Following World War II, the five nations competition resumed with France joining a newly constituted game with revised rules.

With such international interest in rugby, and the game played in schools, universities and military establishments worldwide, it was no surprise that the game was eventually imported into PNG.

Initially it was played by expatriates based in the armed services but local players soon found themselves drafted into the game.

As time went by and the expats went home, so the game became nationalised. Competitions between rival services spread through PNG and, at some stage, a Commander’s Cup competition was established.

So it was that in August last year, six Papua New Guinea Defence Force rugby union teams competed in the Commander’s Cup – still going strong - with more than 200 soldiers and servicemen taking to the field at Goldie River.

The teams were from first battalion Taurama Barracks, second battalion Moem Barracks, Lae’s Igam Barracks made up predominately of engineers, Murray Barracks headquarters and support battalion, a maritime team of naval officers, and a Goldie/Air Transport Squadron XV.

The road from Port Moresby to Goldie River is hard, rutted and unforgiving, the occasional crater threatening to engulf even the local community bus. The dust is like fine talcum powder.

When we arrive, the Goldie River training ground displays brilliant green grass and a playing surface as hard as a rock: excellent for running and kicking, but woe betide the person who is tackled. Limbs ache and bones crunch as they experience the granite like surface.

1RPIR vs. Navy. The game ebbs and flows. Scores remain locked for most of the match. Spectators talk amongst themselves or purchase items of food from the myriad of stalls selling drinks, fruit and other small items.

A friendly atmosphere prevails. Groups barrack for their respective teams. Occasionally self-appointed cheer leaders burst from the crowd to chant spirited war cries urging their teams on.

Meanwhile players have one eye on the ball and the other on the rock like ground, so much so that the attacking or defensive formations often break apart and the ball dribbles aimlessly in no particular direction.