Rugby League World Cup 2013 Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 KO: 20:00, MS3 Craven Park Referee: S Hayne Touch Judge: G Stokes Touch Judge: C Leatherbarrow Video Referee: A Klein TV: Premier Sports
Contents Contents... 1 Welcome to the RLWC2013... 2 Rugby League World Cup 2013 Social Media... 2 Opta Facts... 3 Teams / player facts... 4 Player Watch... 5 RLWC2013 Match Statistics... 6 RLWC2013 Match Statistics... 7 Round One Group Tables... 8 Fixtures / Results... 9 Opta Glossary... 10 Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 1
Welcome to the RLWC2013 After a fantastic opening round of international Rugby League, RLWC2013 is well and truly underway and we re quickly back into the swing of things as we enter November. Over 45,000 fans passed through the turnstiles for the tournament s opening ceremony and double header featuring Australia, England, Wales and Italy on Saturday, whilst Warrington and Rochdale posted house full signs on Sunday and Monday. A capacity crowd at the Halliwell Jones Stadium were wowed by the underdog spirit of Samoa, who put up a sensational showing against reigning world champions New Zealand, whilst the love affair between Rochdale and Fiji continued. The match marked the highest ever Rugby League attendance at Spotland and the fans were not left disappointed as they witnessed a full-blooded contest in heavy rain. A healthy crowd witnessed late drama at Craven Park between France and Papua New Guinea but the accolade of match of the tournament so far must surely go to Scotland and Tonga, who kept a packed house at Derwent Park on their toes with the ultimate game of two halves. The last match of the round was perhaps the most pleasing for the Rugby League public, as 7,247 turned up in Bristol to see USA beat Cook Islands in their World Cup bow. Tickets for the matches at Huddersfield and Avignon this week are long since sold out and ticket sales continue to soar elsewhere. England s Sam Burgess will miss out on selection this week as he serves a one-match suspension for a high tackle in round one. Rugby League World Cup 2013 Social Media www.rlwc2013.com facebook.com/rugbyleagueworldcup twitter.com/rlwc2013 Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 2
Opta Facts Papua New Guinea and Samoa both come into this match on the back of losses in their RLWC2013 openers. These two nations meet at Test level for the first time. PNG are on a run of four straight defeats, their last victories coming over Tonga and the Cook Islands in the 2009 Pacific Cup. PNG played their first match of the tournament at Craven Park and it is the third visit to the city in this competition. In 1995, 5,121 spectators at The Boulevard watched them fight out a 28-28 draw with Tonga. Amongst the line-up that day was current coach Adrian Lam and Robins legend Stanley Gene and both men scored tries. Samoa have lost their last four Test matches. In fact, their last victory came at the 2008 World Cup when they saw off France 42-10. Samoa have also played a match in Hull before. In 2006, they were defeated 38-14 by England at the KC Stadium (when Great Britain were still in operation). From the side that took to the field in 2006, only Frank Winterstein remains part of the current setup. Samoa s 2013 squad has just two survivors from the class of 2008; Ben Roberts and skipper Harrison Hansen. Four PNG players (Paul Aiton, Jason Chan, Jessie Joe Nandye and Menzie Yere) plied their trade in the UK in 2013. Six Kumuls were signed to clubs in the top flight in Australia or the UK. 19 of Samoa s squad were contracted by NRL clubs in 2013 and a further three played in Super League. Full-back David Mead, who missed a simple-looking penalty goal to win the game against France, gained more metres (200) than anyone else in the opening round of matches in the World Cup. PNG second row forward Jason Chan made 42 tackles at a 100% success rate against France. Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 3
Teams / player facts All 2013 player performance facts are excluding play-offs. Facts from RLWC warm-up matches include the first 17 players from each side. Papua New Guinea Josiah Abavu Currently plays for Port Moresby Vipers in the PNGRL. Paul Aiton Made the second most tackles in the Super League last season (948). Dion Aiye Plays at half-back for Rabaul Gurias in PNG. Ase Boas Plays at half-back for PNGRL side Rabaul Gurias. Jason Chan Made 23 tackles per game in his 12 appearances for the Giants in 2013. Neville Costigan Isreal Eliab Richard Kambo Averaged 13.2 carries and 80.8 metres in 12 apps for Huddersfield this season. Currently plays for Port Moresby Vipers in the PNGRL. Played for Newtown jets before joining the Port Moresby Vipers in the PNGRL. Enoch Maki Is one of three PNG players who will join Hull KR in 2014. Larsen Marabe A centre who figured in the 2010 Four Nations. Nene MacDonald Is signed to the Roosters and played in their NYC team in 2013. David Mead Mark Mexico Scored 11 tries in the NRL 2013; only Kevin Gordon managed more for the Titans. Plays for Lae Tigers in the PNGRL. Jessie Joe Nandye Was Whitehaven s top try-scorer in the 2013 Championship (11). Sebation Pahdia Jason Tali Ray Thompson Plays in the second row for PNGRL side Port Moresby Vipers. Plays for PNGRL team Mount Hagen Eagles. Made 533 tackles in 2013, only Gavin Cooper (534) made more for the Cowboys. Charlie Wabo Is a former Hunslet player who played in PNG with Mendi Muruks in 2013. Menzie Yere Scored 30 tries for Sheffield in 2013, more than anyone in the Championship. Samoa Leeson Ah Mau Completed 97% of his tackles (342/354) for the Dragons in the NRL this season. David Fa alogo Missed just nine of his 413 tackles for the Knights in the NRL this year. Pita Godinet Averaged 30 passes per game for the Warriors in the NRL this season. Tim Lafai Made 13 clean breaks for Canterbury this season. Joseph Leilua Scored 11 tries this season; only two others score more for Newcastle Knights. Michael Sio Captains the New Zealand Warriors NYC youth team. Penani Manumalealii is yet to make his club debut for Cronulla Sharks, playing in their U20 side. Mose Masoe Averaged 86 metres in his 17 games for Penrith in the NRL this year. Suaia Matagi Made 11 appearances for the Warriors this season, scoring one try. Anthony Milford Bust 84 tackles for Canberra this season. Junior Moors Averaged 29.3 minutes per game for Melbourne this season. Ben Roberts Is a former Kiwi international who has seven years of NRL experience. Junior Sa u Is a former New Zealand international. Iosia Soliola Averaged 99 metres gained per game in 20 apps for Saints this year. Sauaso Sue Averaged 26 tackles per game with Wests this season. Mark Taufua Made just two appearances for Cronulla Sharks this season. Daniel Vidot Scored nine tries in 15 NRL appearances in 2013. Antonio Winterstein Scored 13 tries this year, more than any other Cowboys player. Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 4
Player Watch Papua New Guinea s World Cup opener was a particularly memorable one for David Mead, but for all the wrong reasons. The Titans player, who operated at full-back last week, was prominent in attack but missed all three of his attempts at goal which ultimately cost the Kumuls the game. A wayward 79 th minute shot at goal may well haunt him but coach Adrian Lam refused to criticise one of his star players. Samoa full-back Anthony Milford is one of the top attacking players in Australia and if the likes of Ben Roberts can bring him into play, Samoa will be confident of winning this Group B game, which is effectively a knock-out match. Their NRL and RLWC 2013 data is below. David Mead Anthony Milford Club Gold Coast Papua New Guinea Canberra Samoa Appearances 16 1 18 1 Minutes Played 1280 80 1084 80 Carries 194 15 232 12 Metres 1615 200 1796 64 Tries Scored 11 9 Clean Breaks 15 15 Supported Breaks 3 1 Tackle Busts 42 3 85 3 Quick PTBs 11 1 16 Offloads 8 27 Try Assists 3 4 1 Tackles 76 3 113 4 Misses 27 0 18 1 % Tackles 74% 100% 86% 80% Penalties Conceded 1 4 Errors 10 1 22 Kicks 1 32 2 Retained Kicks 13 1 Kick Errors 1 1 Passes 112 20 190 17 The two players are well matched when it comes to their ball carrying but Milford has the edge when it comes to escaping tackles and offloading the ball. The PNG player enjoyed making plenty of ground last week, his 200m gain was a RLWC2013 roundhigh and he ll again need to get on the front foot as the Kumuls look for a lifeline in their bid for their quarter-finals. Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 5
Passes Kicks Pens Errors Offloads Initial Breaks Metres Carries Misses Tackles RLWC2013 Match Statistics Papua New Guinea 8-9 France, 26 th October 2013 Papua New Guinea France 2 Tries 1 Goals 2 Drop Goals 1 00:28:18 Time In Possession 00:25:43 39 Total Sets 41 308 Tackles 338 17 Misses 16 95% Tackle Success % 95% 21 Kicks 19 6 Retained Kicks 2 40/20s 1 152 PTBs 138 7 Quick PTBs 19 223 Carries 185 1423 Metres 1250 2 Clean Breaks 1 9 Offloads 7 17 Errors 13 7 Penalties Conceded 8 72% Set Completion 73% Name 1 David Mead 3 0 15 200 0 0 1 0 1 20 2 Josiah Abavu 2 0 7 57 1 0 3 0 0 1 3 Menzie Yere 11 0 11 75 0 2 0 1 0 0 4 Israel Eliab 11 2 14 70 0 0 0 0 1 3 5 Nene McDonald 9 0 14 147 1 1 1 0 0 3 6 Ray Thompson 19 1 14 53 0 1 3 0 10 28 7 Ase Boas 19 1 4 22 0 1 4 1 6 13 8 Mark Mexico 18 0 10 69 0 0 0 1 0 0 9 Paul Aiton 33 2 23 93 0 2 1 3 0 59 10 Enoch Maki 14 0 7 51 0 0 1 0 0 0 11 Dion Aiye 17 2 10 65 0 0 0 0 0 5 12 Jason Chan 42 0 18 74 0 1 1 0 0 2 13 Neville Costigan 34 3 14 95 0 0 0 0 1 1 14 Charlie Wabo 17 2 20 72 0 0 0 0 1 54 15 Richard Kambo 14 1 9 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 Jesse Joe Parker 32 3 23 176 0 0 2 0 1 4 17 Larsen Marabe 13 0 10 50 0 0 0 1 0 1 Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 6
Passes Kicks Pens Errors Offloads Initial Breaks Metres Carries Misses Tackles RLWC2013 Match Statistics New Zealand 42-24 Samoa, 28 th October 2013 New Zealand Samoa 8 Tries 5 5 Goals 2 Drop Goals 00:23:01 Time In Possession 00:22:08 35 Total Sets 30 288 Tackles 259 22 Misses 37 93% Tackle Success % 88% 10 Kicks 14 3 Retained Kicks 3 40/20s 1 99 PTBs 116 12 Quick PTBs 9 160 Carries 164 1331 Metres 1033 10 Clean Breaks 3 9 Offloads 7 13 Errors 9 5 Penalties Conceded 7 71% Set Completion 77% Name 1 Anthony Milford 4 1 12 64 0 0 0 0 2 17 2 Antonio Winterstein 5 0 7 43 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 Junior Sau 1 3 10 97 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 Joseph BJ Leilua 7 3 13 106 0 1 3 2 0 10 5 Daniel Vidot 2 2 15 115 0 0 2 0 0 2 6 Reni Maitua 7 0 3 27 0 0 1 0 0 7 7 Ben Roberts 7 3 8 31 1 1 2 0 4 20 8 David Fa'alogo 36 3 11 89 0 0 0 0 0 2 9 Pita Godinet 37 6 14 54 0 2 0 1 4 93 10 Suaia Matagi 26 0 12 77 1 0 0 1 0 0 11 Iosia Soliola 20 1 11 45 0 1 0 0 0 5 12 Frank Winterstein 18 0 2 16 0 0 0 2 0 2 13 Sauaso Sue 36 5 8 58 0 0 0 0 0 4 14 Penani Manumalealii 6 3 8 17 0 0 1 0 4 16 15 Leeson Ah Mau 19 4 9 76 0 1 0 0 0 0 16 Mark Taufua 17 1 9 52 0 0 0 0 0 1 17 Mose Masoe 11 2 12 66 0 0 0 1 0 2 Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 7
Round One Group Tables Group A P W D L PF PA DIFF PTS Fiji 1 1 0 0 32 14 18 2 Australia 1 1 0 0 28 20 8 2 England 1 0 0 1 20 28-8 0 Ireland 1 0 0 1 14 32-18 0 Group B P W D L PF PA DIFF PTS New Zealand 1 1 0 0 42 24 18 2 France 1 1 0 0 9 8 1 2 Papua New Guinea 1 0 0 1 8 9-1 0 Samoa 1 0 0 1 24 42-18 0 Group C P W D L PF PA DIFF PTS Italy 1 1 0 0 32 16 16 2 Scotland 1 1 0 0 26 24 2 2 Tonga 1 0 0 1 24 26-2 0 Group D P W D L PF PA DIFF PTS USA 1 1 0 0 32 20 12 2 Cook Islands 1 0 0 1 20 32-12 0 Wales 1 0 0 1 16 32-16 0 Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 8
Fixtures / Results Match Date/Score Kick- off* Home Away Venue Group 1 26-Oct-13 14.30 Australia 28-20 England Millennium Stadium A 2 26-Oct-13 16.30 Wales 16-32 Italy Millennium Stadium C/D 3 27-Oct-13 16.00 PNG 8-9 France MS3 Craven Park B 4 27-Oct-13 18.00 New Zealand 42-24 Samoa Halliwell Jones Stadium B 5 28-Oct-13 20.00 Fiji 32-14 Ireland Spotland Stadium A 6 29-Oct-13 20.00 Tonga 24-26 Scotland Derwent Park C 7 30-Oct-13 20.00 USA 32-20 Cook Islands Memorial Stadium D 8 01-Nov-13 20.00 New Zealand 48-0 France Parc des Sports B 9 02-Nov-13 14.30 England 42-0 Ireland John Smiths Stadium A 10 02-Nov-13 20.00 Australia 34-2 Fiji Langtree Park A 11 03-Nov-13 14.00 Wales 16-24 USA Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium D 12 03-Nov-13 16.00 Scotland 30-30 Italy Derwent Park C 13 04-Nov-13 20.00 PNG v Samoa MS3 Craven Park B 14 05-Nov-13 20.00 Tonga v Cook Islands Leigh Sports Village C/D 15 07-Nov-13 20.00 Scotland v USA Salford City Stadium C/D 16 08-Nov-13 20.00 New Zealand v PNG Headingley Carnegie Stadium B 17 09-Nov-13 14.30 England v Fiji KC Stadium A 18 09-Nov-13 20.00 Australia v Ireland Thomond Park A 19 10-Nov-13 14.00 Wales v Cook Islands The Gnoll D 20 10-Nov-13 16.00 Tonga v Italy The Shay C 21 11-Nov-13 20.00 France v Samoa Gilbert Brutus Stadium B 22 15-Nov-13 20.00 WINNER B v WINNER C Headingley Carnegie Stadium QF 1 23 16-Nov-13 13.00 WINNER A v WINNER D Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium QF 2 24 16-Nov-13 20.00 RUNNER UP A v 3RD PLACE B DW Stadium QF 3 25 17-Nov-13 15.00 RUNNER UP B v 3RD PLACE A Halliwell Jones Stadium QF 4 26 23-Nov-13 13.00 Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 3 Wembley Stadium SF 1 27 23-Nov-13 15.30 Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 4 Wembley Stadium SF 2 28 30-Nov-13 14.30 Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2 Old Trafford Final *Kick off times are local times Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 9
Opta Glossary Carries - A player touching the ball has deemed to make a carry if they have made an obvious attempt to go forward and attack the opposition with the ball in hand. Metres - Metres are calculated from the gain line. The gain line starts from the point that the phase of play begins, for instance a play the ball or a collection at the beginning of a possession. Tackles - A player has attempted to halt the progress or dispossess an opponent in possession of the ball. Misses - A tackle is deemed missed when a player has failed to affect a tackle on an opposition player when they were in a reasonable position to make the tackle. Initial Breaks - The ball carrier breaks the first line of defence. Supported Breaks - The ball carrier has supported a player making an initial break and received the ball continuing the attacking move. Tackle Busts - The ball carrier has made a defending player miss a tackle through evasive manoeuvres, physical dominance or good running line. A ball carrier is awarded one defender beaten for every opponent evaded. Offloads - The ball carrier has passed the ball in the process of being tackled. Errors - A player has made an error which leads to the opposition gaining possession of the ball, either in open play or in the form of a scrum. Retained Kicks A kick that has resulted in the kicking side retaining possession, either by an immediate collection or via a scrum or drop-out. Sets / possession - A possession is the period of time a team has full control of the ball from receiving the ball until the ball is turned over to the opposition. If a possession restarts through a penalty or wipe of the tackle count, a complete set is awarded to the team with the ball and another one starts. A comprehensive set of definitions is available on request. Papua New Guinea v Samoa Monday, 4 November 2013 10