Suvarna Garge (Editor)

1991 Kangaroo tour of Papua New Guinea

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

The 1991 Kangaroo tour of Papua New Guinea was a two week, end of season tour of Papua New Guinea by the Australia national rugby league team. The Australians played five matches on the tour, including two Test matches against the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team. The tour began on 29 September and finished on 13 October.

Contents

As of 2016 this remains the only full Kangaroo Tour of Papua New Guinea.

Leadership

As he had been since 1989, Bob Fulton was the coach of the Kangaroos. Mal Meninga was the team captain.

Touring squad

Eleven of the 23 man squad had played for Australia in their 2-1 Trans-Tasman Test series win over New Zealand earlier in the year. Among those selected to tour but who were ultimately ruled out with injury were Penrith test players and 1991 premiership winners Greg Alexander, Mark Geyer and John Cartwright as well as Canberra Raiders halves Laurie Daley and Ricky Stuart.

Tour

The Australian's played five games on the tour, winning all five.

Northern Zone: David Buko, Tweedy Malagian, Charlie Vee, John Markham, Lance Tirava, Elison Ketauwo, David Gilpu, Mathias Kin, Michael Matmillo, Patrick Kiap, Nande Yer, John Piel (c), Goro Arigae. Res - Joe Tonar, Chris Sari, Jacob Danny, Dick Moiga.

Australia: Gary Belcher, Willie Carne, Mal Meninga (c), Andrew Ettingshausen, Rod Wishart, Peter Jackson, Geoff Toovey, Martin Bella, Kevin Walters, Glenn Lazarus, Craig Salvatori, Ian Roberts, Bradley Clyde. Res - Cliff Lyons, Brad Fittler, Chris Johns, Scott Gourley.

Island Zone: Normyle Eremas, Arnold Tivelit, Henry Hairoi, August Joseph, James Kapia, Willie Langer, Billy Kennedy, Pisai Maevo, Bernard Bate, David Gaius, Jimmy Peter, Ben Lakur, Apelis Walia. Res - Phillip Nagatia, Ken Oki, Cliff Rich, Albert Levy.

Australia: Gary Belcher (c), Willie Carne, Peter Jackson, Brad Fittler, Chris Johns, Cliff Lyons, Kevin Walters, Steve Roach, Kerrod Walters, Glenn Lazarus, Gary Coyne, Andrew Gee, Scott Gourley. Res - Geoff Toovey, Martin Bella, Ian Roberts, Andrew Ettingshausen.

Highlands Zone: John Okul, Francis Abba, David Gomia, Thomas Tumbo, Joe Rema, Dimbi Ongugo, Gigmai Ongugo, Leslie Hoffman, Maima Kawage, Yami Kamisive, Joe Paraka (c), Philip Humar, John Yawing. Res - Michael Angra, Mek Kepo, John Passigan, Michael Kiap.

Australia: Gary Belcher, Willie Carne, Chris Johns, Mark McGaw, Rod Wishart, Cliff Lyons, Geoff Toovey, Glenn Lazarus, Kevin Walters, Gary Coyne, Bruce McGuire, Scott Gourley, Bradley Clyde (c). Res - Kerrod Walters, Martin Bella, Brad Fittler, Peter Jackson.

2nd Test

This test match also doubled as a Group Stage game for the 1989-92 Rugby League World Cup.

Statistics

Leading Try Scorer

  • 8 by Willie Carne
  • Leading Point Scorer

  • 32 by Gary Belcher (3 tries, 10 goals) and Willie Carne (8 tries)
  • Largest Attendance

  • 17,000 - First test vs Papua New Guinea at Lloyd Robson Oval
  • Largest non-test Attendance

  • 10,300 - Australia vs Northern Zone
  • References

    1991 Kangaroo tour of Papua New Guinea Wikipedia