Meninga open letter to PNG Kumuls Fans

by RLSpotlight on October 31, 2013 in Global

We’re hurting. The game on Sunday was heart wrenching, heart breaking but chock full of heart. The dressing room afterwards was so downhearted; it was so hard to come with the right words to soften the pain of a narrow loss.

Those of us involved here in England were full of praise of the Team’s effort as you all should be back home. The best defensive effort by a PNG National side, no line breaks against us, very good control of the ball with a 74% completion rate. In my experience these statistics usually adds up to a victory but the French performance was just as respectable.

I agree with commentary that we can play better with the ball. Make smarter decisions in attack. Take opportunities when they arise. That’s what the very best teams do. But can we blame it on one goal kick…No! Great rugby league teams win games through strong organized defense and clever attacking options. Working hard for each other with commitment, attitude and passion.

France has been playing in the English Super League since 2000. Playing in a quality competition week in and week out you learn how to hang on. You know what it takes to win. We will improve and I can promise by the time the next world cup is upon us Team Kumul will be winning these close games.

This experience in this World Cup of Rugby League is providing the building blocks for many years to come.

Hard Lessons I know but we move forward. Dust ourselves off and stay positive and believe in what we are doing. We can’t question the Team’s character to do well. Our goal next game against Samoa is the same as France. We want the same attitude to defense, a desire to execute better in attack and lay everything on the line…Kumul style!

Remember this please, this side is the youngest side in the competition, the least experienced, the least representation from NRL or English Super League. Your National Team is competitive now. Imagine how good Team Kumul will become if we keep persevering with our long-­‐term plan. Patience is our greatest virtue. Patience and courage conquers all things.

Forgotten man of PNG politics reflects on political impasse

Posted at 05:22 on 24 October, 2013 UTC

A former top Papua New Guinea politician says he had to go against the traditional Highlands mould of character and behave in a passive manner in order to prevent bloodshed when his government collapsed.

Sam Abal was Acting Prime Minister in 2011 when the majority of MPs controversially ousted the Somare government and triggered a political and constitutional crisis that only ended with the outcome of last year’s general election.

Mr Abal, who lost his Wabag seat in the election, was detached from much of the bitter fighting between the two groups claiming to be government during the impasse, choosing to remain neutral in parliament.

He spoke to Johnny Blades about the impasse, but began by saying his legal petition claiming the Wabag election result stemmed from bribery and undue influence is still in the courts.

SAM ABAL: It is a case where it happened that way and everybody in my electorate knows what happened during the elections, but unfortunately we have a feeling in this country that we should just leave these things and go on, cover it up and it’s all right, let’s continue on. Like what’s happening with the issue that happened during the impasse. The impasse happened because the constitution was broken. The leaders that broke the constitution wanted to change the government by breaking the constitution.

JOHNNY BLADES: Did you feel that you were the scapegoat in a way? It can’t have been easy trying to hold things together as acting Prime Minister. Plus, you had Don Polye trying to take the National Alliance leadership and it was difficult on a number of fronts for you to have to juggle all these interests, I suppose.

SA: My role there was more or less to keep the peace. I did not want to upset. There was so much going on that people seemed to be reckless and careless. People were jostling for power and money and all these kinds of things. The countries in the world have turned into difficult places with upsets and other things that come up. PNG is a young country at the verge of trying to unite all the different tribes, the thousands of tribes. And the handling of that, to me, was very important, otherwise we would end up fighting on the streets and the tribes would take sides and breakdowns would happen easily, so that’s why I realised I had to play neutral all the way. The breaking of the constitution, I couldn’t agree with, but I just kept quiet and let it roll right through and I ended up sitting in opposition after the dust had settled. I think it’s very important I play in a passive manner, despite the fact that I come from that area (Enga) where you don’t take things lying down.

JB: The National Alliance seems to be growing again. Would you go back in?

SA: The executive or the president at that time decided to sack me while I was still Acting PM of a government that was a National Alliance government. I said ’Look, it doesn’t happen anywhere in the world. It’s a joke. Now you have stated the case for breaking up the party’. So that’s when it all happened. Now, I am out of the party but if I win the court case (and get back into parliament) I could possibly return to the party.

JB: Since you lost your seat in the election, what have you been doing?

SA: I’ve spent most of my life in public service. Straight from university I took up a job with the Foreign Affairs in the late 1970s, early ’80s, and from there I’ve always been with the public service until serving overseas and then back as Trade and Industry secretary, and then from there I went and served as one of the administrators in the provinces for four years, and then became an MP. So all my life has been public service and I have neglected my family for all this time. So now I can spend time with my family and that’s what I’ve been doing this year, sorting out my family. And also, when I was an MP and an administrator in the provinces, I handled money and signed cheques and all this so I never did any business. I have always believed that if you’re in politics, there are all these issues about corrupt practices and everything so I never wanted my name to be involved in all that so I decided never to do business while I was in politics.

JB: So you’re not rich like all those other MPs?

SA: No, I’m not. I have my own house in Moresby which I bought before I was an MP. I was a secretary for a department and all that so I’ve earned my keep over the years. But I’m not as rich as... what you call dirty rich the way some go about this. I don’t want to be like that. Now, for the first time, I’ve set up one or two companies to start to work and look after my family, try to tap into the opportunities that are available here in the country now. So now that I’m out of politics, I feel free, I feel I’m not inhibited in any way so I can run my business and help my family out.

JB: What do you think of how the current government is running the country?

SA: There are some good things that are happening now - opportunities in business and for economic growth. But they are part of things created by our government, for instance the signing of the LNG Project and bringing all those investors in. we were a government that brought the country out of serious deficit. There are a lot of positives coming out of all that now. But government has to ensure there is no over-expenditure. Last year and this year, we were in the deficit in the budget. Small and developing countries always need to keep a balanced budget. The Treasurer, Don Polye, seems to be doing a good job in managing the deficit and not over spending. But government as a whole must continue to manage things carefully in case of a downturn. The kina rate has gone very low now and the Bank of PNG says it’s just a short term thing and that it will be okay, but it shows the fact that at any time we are a very exposed economy and can’t be careless in managing our economy. The LNG Project cash should start to flow next year but between now and then we have to be careful not to make any serious mistakes in terms of any borrowings. It’s no good to borrow before you have the gas flowing, it’s not wise. My only concern is for government to put in place legislation and administrative and budgetary provisions to fight corruption strongly. That’s the main thing we need to sort out, our governance. So much money comes in (to PNG) through things like the LNG project that people lose their head. Unless we have strong governance rules and transparency, we could still fail. Peter O’Neill’s government has an absolute majority and has extended the period when motions of no-confidence can’t be tabled against it to something like 30 months. So this government has the grand opportunity to set down legislations for governance and transparency which no other government in the past had, and I would wish that Peter O’Neill does that. Before the gas money starts to come through, they have an excellent opportunity to get this right.

Source: News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

Former PNG Police chief now new head of national security agency

Former PNG Police chief now new head of national security agency

Posted at 23:34 on 29 October, 2013 UTC

Former Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner Gari Baki has been appointed as the new Director General of the National Intelligence Organisation.

Mr Baki, 56 years-old from West New Britain Province, has served in the Papua New Guinea Constabulary for 36 years, four of which as Commissioner of the Force.

In a short interview with the Post Courier Mr Baki said the Organisation is a key institution in alerting and gathering vital information for intelligence and it supports of law enforcement, national security, defence and foreign policy objectives.

His appointment is for a four year term.

Source: News Content © Radio New Zealand International

PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

Rugby League World Cup: PNG star Paul Aiton cleared to face Samoa

Paul Aiton: Cleared to face Samoa

Wakefield hooker Paul Aiton has been cleared to play for Papua New Guinea in their must-win match against Samoa in Monday's group B World Cup match at Hull KR.

Aiton was given a one-match ban by an international match-review panel for a careless high tackle on full-back Morgan Escare in the Kumuls' opening 9-8 defeat by France on Sunday.

But on Tuesday he won an appeal against the decision.

An international disciplinary tribunal replaced the ban with a caution, which will remain on the player's record throughout the tournament.

Source: Skysports.com

PNG police shocked by rape of six-year-old

Posted at 03:41 on 30 October, 2013 UTC

The police in Papua New Guinea say the rape of a six-year-old girl is a shocking incident and they will be taking strong action.

The police media relations officer, Superintendent Dominic Kakas, says four men and one woman have been arrested in relation to the attack.

Mr Kakas says he understands the child was raped by at least one man after a bus crew abducted her in Gerehu.

“It is something that we are really shocked and really stunned as to how this could have happened. You know, what we have always been telling people here, we have been advising them that they just have to be careful and make sure that they are aware of the whereabouts of their children at all times. This was a very unfortunate incident and we would like to actually prevent such from happening again.”

Dominic Kakas says the child fainted at the police station after reporting the attack and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The police are awaiting the medical report and investigations are continuing.

Source: News Content © Radio New Zealand International

PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand

Awesa: K50m for roads was hijacked

By Grace Auka Salmang

A TOTAL of K50 million allocated in the 2010 supplementary budget for Lae City roads was hijacked and used without the involvement and knowledge of the Department of Works, says Minister Francis Awesa.

Mr Awesa revealed this last week, saying that although the money was allocated to the department, an audit of the department showed that it was hijacked and used for other purposes.

In a statement, he said 12 contracts were awarded for a total sum of K104,302,198.85, more than double the allocated amount.

He said the national Government has spent well over K280 million up to now.

“All contracts were executed under certificate of expediency arrangements, which means that they were not competitively tendered for,” Mr Awesa said.

“Our audit indicates there was mismanagement of the contracts in both their design and construction and financial aspects of the project.”

He said no detailed scope of works, technical drawings, standard works specifications for the preparation of road base and construction of concrete pavement slabs, quality control management plan, environment management plan or traffic management plan were provided to the contractors. 

He said these are the most basic requirements and standard practice for road construction.

“This seriously delayed the completion of contracts and seriously impacted on the quality of the finished concrete roads,” he said. “It possibly caused the major blowout in budgeted expenditure which was only supposed to be K50 million. Worst of all, the condition of Lae's roads remain one year later as if there was no work at all undertaken on them.

“Our audit findings point to collusion and corruptive manipulation between state agencies and outside parties that border on gross corruption.”

He said this is a shame and a disgrace and a clear indication of wastage of public money on a grand scale.

In the meantime, the department’s audit team has recommended an inquiry into the whole affair and the Government is taking up that recommendation, Mr Awesa said.

The Minister said six contracts have now been awarded for stage two of the project. Four contracts, each for 20km covering different sections of Lae roads, were awarded earlier and the final two were awarded last week.

Source: Post Courier 29/10/2013

Ireland outmuscled by Fiji in Rugby League World Cup

Akuila Uata scores hat-trick for Pacific Islanders as Ireland now need miracle to reach knockout stages

Ireland 14 Fiji 32: Fiji effectively ended Ireland’s World Cup dream for the second time after out-muscling them in a bruising Group A match at a packed Spotland.

Winger Akuila Uate, whose last trip to England was with Australia for the 2011 Four Nations Series, scored two tries in Fiji’s 30-14 win over the Irish in the semi-final qualifier on the Gold Coast in 2008 and went one better on Monday night with a hat-trick.

But the foundations for the Bati’s 32-14 victory was laid by a dominant pack which thrilled the bulk of the sell-out crowd of 8,872 in Rochdale, which boasts the biggest Fijiian expatriate community outside London.

The Fijians’ display sent out a message to both England and Australia, whose coaches Steve McNamara and Tim Sheens were in the crowd, that they will be no pushovers in the remaining group games.

Ireland, the 500-1 tournament outsiders, were in touch at half-time when they trailed 12-4 but they conceded four second-half tries to suffer an emphatic defeat and will now need to beat England in Huddersfield on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

The deeply-religious Fijians went into a huddle before kick-off to sing a hymn but there was nothing angelic about their play as they tore into the Irish from the kick-off.

The physical onslaught was led by the Sims brothers, who made up half the starting pack and laid the platform for the quicksilver backs to show their pace and class with two tries in a four-minute spell.

Uate produced a strong finish to open the scoring on nine minutes and Ireland had barely recovered when full-back Kevin Naiqama beat two flat-footed defenders to cross for a second.

Centre Wes Naiqama converted his brother’s try and the Fijians would have been further ahead had veteran skipper Petero Civoniceva managed to get the ball down but he was held on his back over the line.

The Pacific Islanders threatened to run away with the game at that stage but the introduction of Manly Sea Eagles forward James Hassan for his debut injected some much-needed resolve into the Irish ranks.

Indiscipline then crept into the Fijians’ play and Ireland took advantage to pull back a try through second rower Tyrone McCarthy on 23 minutes.

That gave Aston’s men the encouragement they needed and they could have drawn level had second rower Dave Allen managed to take Scott Grix’s pass in a try-scoring position.

The chance was lost and Ireland were unable to take advantage of the sin-binning of replacement Eloni Vunakece for persistent infringements six minutes before the interval.

Naiqama stretched Fiji’s lead to 12-4 on the stroke of half-time with a penalty and there was no way back for Ireland when second rower Tariq Sims went over for a third try after Grix had failed to take Aaron Groom’s high kick.

The floodgates opened as Uate completed his hat-trick and loose forward Korbin Sims also touched down and Naiqama took his goal tally to four from seven attempts.

Ireland lost Grix with a leg injury that could see him miss out on the clash with England on his home ground, but they produced a late flurry that gave the scoreline some respect.

Winger Damien Blanch went over at the corner four minutes from the end and, in the final move of the match, Hassan forced his way over for a richly-deserved try to whichPat Richards added the goal.

Source: The Irish Times 

David Mead misses easy late penalty goal attempt as Papua New Guinea fall to France at World Cup

GOLD Coast flyer David Mead was left devastated after missing a late penalty in front of the posts to cruelly deny Papua New Guinea a first World Cup victory in 13 years.

The Kumuls fell 9-8 to France despite scoring two tries to the victors' one in their Group B encounter in Hull.

Star NRL winger Mead failed to convert both of PNG's tries but had a golden chance to secure victory after his side earned a penalty 25m out from the French tryline with a minute to play.

But he failed to factor in a strong breeze at Craven Park and his effort sailed wide as coach Adrian Lam and high performance director Mal Meninga watched on in horror.

Lam said it was unfair to blame Mead, who assumed the responsibility with the squad not featuring a specialist goalkicker.

"David is devastated,'' Lam said of Mead, who has battled back from suffering a fractured vertebrae earlier this year.

"He's a great young man and we spoke with him about how he's not to blame. He is a big part of our side. "He's not a week in, week out goalkicker and we don't have one. That's the problem.

"He's blaming himself but there are a couple of other things we could have done better.'' Lam said he was both proud and disappointed with the performance.

The rugby league-mad nation still has a chance to progress from the group, which also features New Zealand and Samoa.

"If we kick the goal it's a great night, so now we have to pick ourselves back up off the ground. We couldn't convert our opportunities,'' Lam said.

France halfback William Barthau kicked what proved the decisive field goal with 15 minutes to go as France avenged losing to PNG at the 2000 World Cup, the Kumuls' last Test win.

French playmaker Thomas Bosc opened the scoring in the sixth minute before PNG winger Nene McDonald responded with a try in the corner.

The Papua New Guineans started the second half with new resolve, a forced Mickael Simon knock-on resulting in the ball being spread left and winger Josiah Abavu crossing. Bosc brought the scores level with a penalty 20 minutes from time before and fellow Barthau nailed a 35-metre field goal.

France coach Richard Agar knew his side was lucky to escape with a win. "If I'm honest, I wouldn't have had many complaints had we lost,'' he said.

Source: Foxsports news

PROMINENT LAWYER PAUL PARAKA ARRESTED

Prominent Lawyer Paul Paraka was arrested around 7.30am this morning just outside Kupiano station.

 

He was then escorted to the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate for interrogation.

Upon arrival Mr Paraka briefed the media saying his arrest was regrettable.

 

Paraka says he will exercise his rights and seek justice through the courts.

 

After 4 hours of interrogation, Mr Paraka was charged and released on bail.

 

Paraka has strongly voiced that the state and Fraud squad must have evidence to prove him guilty.

 

Chairman of Task Force Sweep Sam Koim is yet to release a statement regarding Mr Paraka’s arrest.

Australian defence department rejects claims its helicopters were used in Papuan 'genocide'

The Australian Department of Defence has rejected claims that Australian-supplied helicopters were used by Indonesia's military to kill Papuan civilians in the late 1970s.

A three-year investigation by the Asian Human Rights Commission alleges the murder, rape and torture of more than 4,000 Papuans more than 45 years ago.

The report claims two Australian-supplied Iroquois helicopters were used in the operation.

The Defence Department says its archives tell a different story.

In a statement given to the ABC, the department said:

"From 1976 to 1981, Defence units undertook Operation Cenderawasih, the survey and mapping of then Irian Jaya.

"Iroquois, Caribou, Canberra and C-130 Hercules aircraft from Australia operated within Irian Jaya.

"The base for the operation was Mokmer Airfield on the island of Biak."

The statement went on to say that any further requests on the subject should be submitted as a Freedom of Information request.

A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was not in a position to comment on the situation in Papua in this period, 35 years ago.

"The Australian Government's current policy towards Papua is clear: we condemn all violence affecting civilians and security personnel alike," DFAT said.

"The contemporary human rights situation in the Papuan provinces does not resemble the situation portrayed in the AHRC report.

"Any requests for access to departmental records from this period should be directed to the National Archives of Australia in accordance with the Archives Act 1983."

Rights commission releases damning report

The report - The Neglected Genocide - Human Rights Abuses Against Papuans in the Central Highlands, 1977-78 - attempts to document violence that occurred when Indonesia launched several military operations around Wamena, in response to independence uprisings after general elections in 1977.

The AHRC conducted field visits, interviewed witnesses and examined historical records.

It collected the names of 4,146 people it believes were killed by the Indonesian military, and claimed the total number of victims who died from torture, disease and hunger as a result of the violence could be well over 10,000.

The report says two Australian-supplied Iroquois helicopters, along with US-supplied Bell UH-1H Huey helicopters, were among aircraft used by local command in the attacks.

The report details one incident in which villagers in the Bolakme area were told they would be receiving aerial aid from Australia, only to be bombed by American-supplied planes.

Read the report The Neglected Genocide - Human Rights Abuses Against Papuans in the Central Highlands, 1977-78

It also contains details of independence supporters being burned alive, boiled alive, and being forced to perform sexual acts in public.

In conclusion, the report called for an ad-hoc human rights court to be set up to hear the allegations and try those responsible.

It also called for the establishment of a truth commission.

The AHRC is calling on the international community to demand the Indonesian government be held to account for human rights violations in Papua.

PHOTO: Papuans of the mountain areas in the 1960s. (Asian Human Rights Commission)

Rugby League World Cup preview: PNG still the people’s team

 

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By Renegade, 18 Oct 2013 Renegade is a Roar Pro

Tagged:

 David mead, NRL, Papua New Guinea rugby league, PNG Kumuls, Rugby League

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Leon Pryce is lifted in the tackle during the International Rugby League World Cup match, England v Papua New Guinea. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan

Sports Highlights

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The Papua New Guinea Kumuls will be representing a nation that is absolutely mad about rugby league.

It is the national sport of Papua New Guinea and has in some ways become a replacement for tribal warfare.

The Adrian Lam-coached Kumuls will be aiming to produce their best ever effort at the 2013 World Cup.

Papua New Guinea Kumuls
RLIF World Ranking: 6
Best Result: Quarter Finalists (2000)
2008 Finish: sixth
2013 RLWC Odds: $251

Rugby league began its journey in Papua New Guinea in the 1930s when it was brought across by Australian miners and servicemen.

In 1949 the governing body was developed and the sport quickly became part of the national psyche.

The Kumuls joined the RLIF in the 1970s and the 1988 World Cup was the first that they participated in.

Due to poor infrastructure within the country and regular violence at games, rugby league has been hampered in Papua New Guinea at international level with very few games scheduled against the larger nations.

An annual fixture against the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII is the biggest game of the year for the locals and is played in front of a sell-out crowd each time.

The Australian State of Origin matches are the most watched sporting events in Papua New Guinea every year and the players that take part are well known throughout the country.

The most idolised players in Papua New Guinea this year however will no doubt be the 17 men that take the field for the Kumuls at the 2013 World Cup.

The Kumuls best performance in a RLWC was in 2000. The Papua New Guinea side went through their pool undefeated before going down to Wales 22-8 in the knockout stages.

That Quarter Final match against the Welsh was watched by an estimated two million Papua New Guineans in the early hours of the morning local time.

Although they were defeated, the Kumuls returned home to a jam packed Port Moresby airport which had thousands of fans waiting not only inside but also outside the precinct.

In the 2008 World Cup, Papua New Guinea were never a chance of progressing far in the tournament having been drawn in the pool of death with Australia, England and New Zealand.

The 2013 squad will be looking to make amends and re-create the scenes of 2000 by doing their league-loving nation proud.

Team Line Up (likely)
1. David Mead
2. Josiah Abavu
3. Menzie Yere
4. Jessie Joe Nandye
5. Bosam McDonald
6. Israel Eliab
7. Ray Thompson
8. Jason Chan
9. Charlie Wabo
10. Enoch Maki
11. Neville Costigan (c)
12. Larson Marabe
13. Paul Aiton

14. Richard Kambo
15. Sebastian Pandia
16. Mark Mexico
17. Dion Aiye

Squad Members: Wellington Albert, Ase Boas, Roger Laka, Francis Paniu, Jason Tali, Joe Bruno

The Kumuls will be led by NRL veteran Neville Costigan who has the honour of leading the national side for the first time.

Papua New Guinea has a number of other NRL experienced players in their ranks with David Mead, Ray Thompson and Paul Aiton also selected.

The team will no doubt put their bodies on the line during the series and none more so than the popular Sheffield Eagles centre – Menzie Yere.

One to Watch
He is known as ‘The Jukebox’ for putting on the hits and has become a crowd favourite for Sheffield in the Kingstone Press Championship.

Menzie uses every muscle in his body with or without the Steeden in hand.

Yere is almost impossible to stop close to the line being such a devastating runner with the ball however opposition centres will be more worried when in possession, just in case the Jukebox is around.

Group B Fixtures and Opponents
Vs France @ Craven Park, Hull Kick Off – Mon 28th Oct 3am AEDT
Vs Samoa @ Craven Park, Hull Kick Off – Tues fifth Nov 7am AEDT
Vs New Zealand @ Headingley Stadium, Leeds Kick Off – Sat ninth Nov 7am AEDT

Key Match
The Papua New Guinea supporters that travel to the UK for the 2013 RLWC will be setting up camp in Hull and striving to make Craven Park a home away from home.

With the Kumuls scheduled to play their first two games at the venue, a win against either France or Samoa may be enough to propel the side into the Quarter Finals of the tournament.

The side have a good record against the Samoan side however they will be facing much stronger opposition in 2013.

RLWC 2013 Prospects
Luckily Papua New Guinea is not facing the same prospect as they did in 2008 where they would have required a miracle just to win a game.

Adrian Lam will fancy his team’s chances of making it through to the knock out stages of this tournament however the late withdrawal of their best player James Segeyaro will hurt the Kumuls chances of progressing.

Regardless of whether the Papua New Guinea side can equal or better their previous best performance at a World Cup, they will still be adored by their passionate fans back home who will continue to cheer on the Kumuls no matter the result.

Rugby League World Cup 2013: Ten reasons why you should watch

By Stephan ShemiltBBC Sport

RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP

• Venue: Various grounds
 
• Dates: 26 October to 30 November

Coverage: Live TV, radio and online coverage of all England's group matches and Wales v Italy, plus one quarter-final, one semi-final and the final

The Rugby League World Cup begins on 26 October, with 14 teams taking part in the tournament across the UK, Ireland and France.

Though the international game is traditionally dominated by Australia, New Zealand and England - where it is sometimes seen as a sport for the M62 corridor and little more - the World Cup is an opportunity for rugby league to reach beyond its core demographic.

From defying fascism to Fijians in Rochdale, expensive players to cheap tickets, BBC Sport gives you 10 reasons to take notice.

1. Rugby's biggest draw - Sonny Bill Williams

Perhaps the biggest cross-code star in rugby, New Zealand second-rower Sonny Bill Williams could swell World Cup gates just by showing up.

A headline-grabber on and off the pitch, Williams helped Sydney Roosters win the National Rugby League (NRL) title in his first season back in league after completing a five-year ban for walking out on Canterbury Bulldogs.

In his time away, the 28-year-old played union in France, Japan and his native New Zealand, as well as helping the All Blacks win the World Cup in 2011.

A return to union looks on the cards and seemed certain when he made himself unavailable for the tournament because of "other commitments",only for a change of heart 24 hours later and the subsequent confirmation that he will stay in league for a year at least.

Now, the man who is also New Zealand's heavyweight boxing champion  (six wins from six fights) has the chance to fill the only gap on his CV, having missed out when the Kiwis triumphed in 2008.

2. The brilliant Burgess brothers

Play media

Burgess brothers ready for World Cup

Little-known outside of rugby league circles in the UK, Sam Burgess and his twin brothers George and Tom are celebrities in Australia, especially league-loving Sydney.

All three - along with a fourth Burgess brother, Luke - play for NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sam having been persuaded to move down under in 2009 by Souths owner Russell Crowe. 

Crowe's treatment of Sam - before his Souths debut, Sam was presented with a Rabbitohs membership card for his late father Mark - led to the other three Burgess boys following and, earlier this year, they became the first quartet of brothers since 1910 to play for an Australian top-flight side in the same game.

With mum Julie also having moved to Sydney, the only disappointment for the Burgess family came when Luke missed out on a place in the England squad for the World Cup.

On top of all that, Sam has developed something of a rivalry with Sonny Bill Williams. Just after Williams took to the field for his league return, Burgess powered through Williams's attempted tackle, a steamrollering that has since been watched more than 300,000 times on YouTube. Will the two lock horns once more during the World Cup?

3. Watch the world's most expensive player

Play media

England squad strongest ever - Tomkins

The Rugby League World Cup will be something of a farewell tour - for now, at least - for England full-back Sam Tomkins, who is joining NRL side New Zealand Warriors.

A world-record fee was paid to prise Tomkins away from Wigan, a sum in excess of the £450,00 paid by the Super League champions for Bradford's Stuart Fielden in 2006.

Intelligent, twinkle-toed and blessed with a touch of genius, Tomkins - the 2012 Super League Man of Steel - is England's all-time leading try-scorer.

Wigan have the first option on Tomkins should he decide to leave his new side, but with the possibility of the 24-year-old following brother Joel into union in the future, opportunities to see him play league in England are now at a premium.

4. You can afford it - especially with one ticket for two semis

With 28 games scheduled for 21 venues  across England, Wales, Ireland and France, the Rugby League World Cup is nothing if not accessible.

While most of the stadiums used are around rugby league's traditional M62 heartland, the tournament also finds its way to union strongholds Neath, Bristol, Limerick and Cardiff, where the Millennium Stadium hosts the opening double-header when England face Australia and Wales take on Italy.

Prices are reasonable too, with 55% of tickets costing £20 or less and six grounds offering buy one, get one half-price deals.

But the best deal may be reserved for the semi-finals at Wembley, with both games played on 23 November and tickets starting at £20.

5. You'll see a trophy with a story

Play media

The mystery of the missing trophy

Pickles the dog earned a place in football history for discovering the Jules Rimet Trophy a week after it was stolen in March 1966 - but that story pales in comparison to the mystery surrounding the Rugby League World Cup trophy. 

Commissioned for the inaugural tournament in France in 1954 at a cost of eight million Francs, the trophy was used until 1970, when the holders, Australia, put it on display in the Midland Hotel in Bradford.

Stolen six days before the final, it would not be seen again for 20 years.

In 1990, it was found on a rubbish dump in the city by Stephen Uttley, who eventually identified it with the help of a local newspaper.

When the trophy was returned to Rugby Football League headquarters in Leeds, an official said: "It is like the return of the Holy Grail. No-one knows what its value is, but in rugby league terms it is priceless."

6. It will be a festival of flavours - check out the Fijians in Rochdale

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Rochdale Fijians excited about World Cup

Fiji's game with Ireland at Rochdale's Spotland on 28 October may seem to have little significance aside from the fact it is both sides's opening game in Group A, but it may provide the most raucous atmosphere of the entire tournament.

Thanks to Joe Levula and Orisi Dawai, recruited by Rochdale Hornets  in 1961, Rochdale has the UK's biggest Fijian population outside of London.

The affection shown to Levula and Dawai by Hornets fans was reciprocated, with Rochdale becoming imprinted on the minds of Fijians 10,000 miles away.

Fijians recruited to the British Army would travel to Rochdale, and the resulting community would eventually boost the Greater Manchester town's bid to host the tournament.

Rochdale will go even more Fijian for the Ireland game - special menus will be served in pubs, a Fiji Celebration Day will be held and hotels are sold out. The Irish should expect a partisan crowd.

7. It's the toughest sport in the world

Describing rugby league as the toughest sport in the world is a big claim, but there is science to back it up.

International rugby league players lose more playing time through injury  than any other sport - 220 hours per 1,000 compared to 112 in American Football, 80 in ice hockey, 40 in football and 10 in cricket.

In a tackle, a rugby league player feels a force of over 10G, the same as a car crash.

If that doesn't convince you, consider some of the injuries suffered at the top level.

Harlequins full-back Ben Jones-Bishop once played 25 minutes against Wigan with a cracked skull, Great Britain's Paul Deacon fractured the roof of his mouth in a 2005 international against New Zealand and Warrington Wolves prop Paul Wood played on with a ruptured testicle, subsequently having it removed.

These boys are hard as nails.

8. Rugby league is the sport that defied fascism

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Why the French banned rugby league

In the run-up to World War II, rugby league was on an unstoppable rise in France - 225 clubs had been established in five years.

Seen as modern, innovative and linked to the pre-war left-wing government, it was banned by the Vichy regime - the puppets of Nazi Germany - after some lobbying from French rugby union, itself in decline.

The French had been pushing for a World Cup since 1935 and the dream was realised by Paul Barriere, a former union player who met league leaders when part of the French resistance.

Barriere worked to restore league in France following the war and, in 1951, proposed a World Cup, with the idea being adopted at a meeting in Blackpool in 1953.

The inaugural tournament was held in France in 1954, with the hosts narrowly beaten by Great Britain in the final. After hosting once more in 1972 and sharing duties with the UK in 2000, France again welcomes two games in the 2013 tournament.

9. The Aussies have a score to settle...

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Rugby League World Cup: 2008 - New Zealand win controversial final

For 25 years, the Rugby League World Cup was a showcase of Australia's dominance. Six consecutive titles gave them nine out of 12 overall.

But that run came to a halt in the 2008 final with a 34-20 defeat by New Zealand in the Aussies's Brisbane backyard.

Now, the Kangaroos travel north to regain what they see as their property, spearheaded by the trio of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater.

Named in the top four players in the NRL  by the Sydney Morning Herald, each man has also won the Golden Boot Award - given to the player voted the best in the world - in the past six years.

Smith, the captain, is a formidable presence at hooker, Slater has scored more tries than any other full-back in NRL history and creative half-back Thurston was the leading points scorer five years ago.

10. ...but we don't know who will win

While the Rugby League World Cup has been an almost exclusive preserve of Australia success, their 2008 failure was proof that the tournament is not a closed shop.

How the World Cup works

• The eight strongest teams in the tournament are in two groups of four, from which the top three in each will go through to the quarter-finals
• The other teams are in two groups of three, with only the group winners reaching the last eight
• The tournament is a straight knockout from the quarter-finals onwards

New Zealand, boosted by the inclusion of Williams, travel with hope of defending their title, while co-hosts England, perhaps with the benefit of a post-Olympic bounce, are genuine contenders, despite the shock warm-up defeat by Italy.

It would be a surprise if the world's leading trio do not fill three of the four semi-final spots, with the last slot up for grabs to the rest of a field that could use unfancied Fiji's run to the last four in 2008 as inspiration.

The unorthodox format  is an attempt to keep one-sided contests to a minimum, a theory that was largely successful five years ago - the majority of lower-ranked nations will not have to meet the big boys until the knockout stage.

35 days. 28 games. 21 venues. 14 teams. One team crowned rugby league world champions. Bring it on
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