PNG Mosquitoes brace for New Zealand Falcons

After a dominant 91-10 win over Fiji Tribes on Monday, PNG Mosquitoes head into round 2 of the AFL Pacific Cup with confidence to face New Zealand Falcons.

New Zealand narrowly went down to Nauru 42-50 in the senior men’s division and would be aiming to bounce back against PNG this afternoon.

Meanwhile, PNG women’s senior team, Flames, was held to a 26-26 draw by Tonga Storm yesterday in the opening match. The Flames will also face New Zealand Kahu this afternoon in the women’s cup division.

The game between PNG Mosquitoes and New Zealand Falcons would be a rematch of the 2017 finals where both sides last met.

Mosquitoes skipper John James Levai said his PNG men are prepared for the uphill battle after a morale-boosting victory over Fiji.

“It's going to be a strong challenge, but we just have to stick with what we've been training for the last two months,” Levai said.

“And just work on our strength and mostly do what we've been training.”

PNG won the bragging rights in 2017 as the first team outside of Australia to claim back-to-back AFL International Cup in senior men’s when they beat New Zealand in a thrilling grand final contest, 29-28.

Veteran and skipper Levai was part of the winning side that stormed their Oceania neighbors, and he would be leading PNG once more this afternoon in a Pacific Cup affair in Sunshine Coast, Australia.

Reflecting on the opener, Levai commended the young guns for stepping up to the challenge.

“It was a bit of a surprise. It was a good win,” he said of the win over Fiji.

“We didn't expect, especially 85% of the upcoming boys from the development program to come out and perform well.

“They put on a show was something else. They stepped up, knowing what it means to be wearing this jumper.”

The captain acknowledged support from home fans and vowed to return the AFL Pacific Cup to PNG after the tournament.