Papua New Guinea England

PAPUA NEW GUINEA ENGLAND RUGBY LEAGUE 1975 WORLD CUP HISTORY

England will play Papua New Guinea in the Quarter Final of the Rugby League World Cup. At the DW Stadium in Wigan on the 5th of November 2022. Kick-off 2.30 pm. In this Ellis Rugby Blog article, we take a look at the beginnings of Rugby League. PNG’s first captain and the England Rugby League 1975 Rugby League World Cup Team’s impact.

England Rugby League World Cup Team of 1975 – Papua New Guinea First Test Match

Rugby league in Papua New Guinea was first played in the late forties. It was introduced to the nation by Australian soldiers stationed there during and after the Second World War. Papua New Guinea was admitted to the game’s International Federation in 1974.

On 6 July 1975, at Lloyd Robson Oval, in Port Moresby, the Kumuls played their first-ever international. They were beaten 40-12 by England. The English team were en route to Australia and New Zealand to fulfil away fixtures during the 1975 World Cup.

PNG’s First Captain – Paul Chue

The country’s first Captain was Paul Chue. He was born and raised in the once-iconic town of East New Britain in Papua New Guinea. The third-generation Chinese half-back played rugby union in his school years. At St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill in Sydney. He was the first boy of Asian heritage to make that school’s rugby first XV when selected in 1963. Following school, he studied commerce at the University of New South Wales.

Back in New Guinea Chue took to rugby league. Playing for the Waratahs and the Sea Eagles in Rabaul while working in the family soft drinks business. And in 1973 captained a Rabaul representative side. In addition, he was selected for New Guinea alongside players from Rabaul, Lae, Goroka Mt Hagen, Madang and Bougainville. To play against Papua for a number of years. Eventually, the Papua versus New Guinea match was abandoned. After the New Guinea team lost at the Papuan Rugby League grounds in Pom. And riots caused injuries to many innocent people.

Papua New Guinea Toured Australia

He made his sole national representative appearance for the Kumuls in their debut international match against England in Port Moresby in 1975. That match was played to celebrate the new nation’s independence. But, a few years earlier Kumul’s team including Chue went on tour to Australia. They played against the likes of Bundaberg and Northern Queensland.

Chue’s business career was with the PNG soft drink firm Pacific Industries Ltd. Founded by his father Gabriel Achun Chue. Paul Chue ran that business from 1968. And was later succeeded by his son Everett.

Papua New Guinea England 12,000 Fans in Port Moresby

Chue’s big day was on the 6th of July 1975, at Lloyd Robson Oval, in Port Moresby. When the Kumuls played their first-ever international. They were beaten 40-12 by England. The English team were en route to Australia and New Zealand to fulfil away fixtures during the 1975 World Cup.
It was played in front of a crowd of over 12,000 fans in the capital of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby. The Kumuls scored two tries. Firstly, Stand-Off (Five Eighth) Sukope Iro crossed. Secondly, hard-working Prop Forward Harrison Patalui scored the second try. In addition, Full Back Billy Watovo kicked three goals.

England Rugby League World Cup Team Win

The tourists scored tries through George Fairbairn, Keith Fielding and Dave Chisnall. In addition, Mike Coulman, Les Dyl and Steve Nash crossed for tries. Also, George Fairbairn kicked eight goals. The game finished Papua New Guinea 12, England 40.
For PNGs first ever captain Paul Chue the experience of playing against England was his career highlight. He commented “The honour of representing PNG against England and playing against world-renowned stars such as Roger Millward (five-eight) and Steve Nash (Scrum Half) was an amazing experience”
Inspired England Rugby League Shirt
Our England Rugby League Shirt Polo 1975 is inspired by the Rugby League World Cup team of 1975 who played PNG on that famous day. The Ellis Rugby vintage RL collection celebrates the history of the competition. And the many great International Rugby League teams. It includes retro T-Shirts. Also, classic Rugby Shirts. In addition, vintage Polo Shirts. Finally, heritage sweatshirts. To view Click Here