PNG LNG Kumuls

📸⚡Flashback Friday: Our 2000 Rugby League World Cup 🇵🇬 Kumuls Squad

Members of the 2000 RLWC squad recently presented jerseys to the 2025 PNG Kumuls, 25 years after their historic appearance in the World Cup held in France.

The team finished top of their pool and qualified for the quarter finals, a first for PNG, captained by Adrian Lam (Kumul #163). There performance on the world stage, showed the progression of the team and the game in PNG.

Before going to the 2000 World Cup, the team had played a trial match against Australia and were defeated 84 – 0 in Townsville.

Notably, members of this 2000 RLWC Kumuls squad have gone on to continue to make impact in the game and in their communities. Adrian Lam and Hon. Michael Marum went on to coach the PNG Kumuls. Current Melbourne Storm Head Coach, Craig Bellamy, was an Assistant Coach of our side at the time, now one of the most successful NRL coaches.

Match results:
PNG def. France 23-20 |Paris, France (2000 World Cup)
PNG def. South Africa 16-0 | Toulouse, France (2000 World Cup)
PNG def. Tonga 30-22 | St. Esteve, France (2000 World Cup)
Wales def. PNG 22-8 | Widnes, England (2000 World Cup Quarter Final)

🇵🇬 PNG Kumuls RLWC Squad: Eddie Aila, Makali Aizue, Marcus Bai, David Buko, Stanley Gene, Raymond Karl, Leo Kondai, Alex Krewanty, Adrian Lam, Augustine Justin, Bruce Mamando, Michael Marum, Mark Mom, Michael Mondo, Duncan Na'awi, Andrew Norman, Tom O'Reilly, Elias Paiyo, Chris Purkilkil, Lucas Solbat, Alfred Songoro and John Wilshere.

Head Coach: Bob Bennett

Heart over everything. Your 2025 Pacific Bowl champs 🏆 They played for their families, their flag and inspired their nation. The people’s champs @png.kumuls

Captain Rhyse Martin leading the way and keeping it 100% during Saturday's game, with 8 from 8 conversions and 1 penalty goal in the 79th minute, to bring us to 50 points.

📸Game Day snaps from the weekend.

Bikepla tok tenk yu tru to everyone who has supported the team, from the fans, spectators, suppliers, venue, the staff behind the teams and clubs from which our Kumuls have come from and the NRL for another successful tournament . Special thank you to our partners of the PNG LNG Kumuls, PNG LNG, , Kumul Petroleum and Visa Papua New Guinea 🙏Thank you for continuing the Kumul Legacy with us.

Photography by Trevor Mallen

Morea Morea is just too quick!

Your 2025 Pacific Championships Bowl Winner - The PNG Kumuls! 🇵🇬

🏅Edwin Ipape | Player of the match

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