Melbourne Australia Friday 6.30pm: Papua New Guinea fought back magnificently to win their first International Cup Grand Final played at the MCG against 2005 winners New Zealand.

 

The final term saw PNG start full of running with Donald Barry snapping a great goal followed by another fantastic snap goal from Amua Pirika. NZ steadied with a goal to Richard Bradley to take him to 17 goals for the tournament, equal with Canada's Scott Fleming. PNG still lead by 2 points with 4 minutes to go.

 

PNG held on and young star Amua Pirika had a shot for goal after the siren to put the final nail in the NZ coffin - his banana kick went straight through the middle to raptuous applause from the thousands of spectators at the MCG.

PNG won their first International Cup Grand Final after finishing runners up in the past 2 Cups. Donald Barry played an outstanding game and won the medal for best on ground. Richard Bradley and Scott Fleming (Canada) tied for leading goalkicker award with 17 goals each.

 

 

New Zealand lead by 15 points against Papua New Guinea at quarter time of the 2008 International Cup Grand Final played at the MCG in Melbourne. The second quarter was a much tighter struggle with both teams kicking two goals each for the term and New Zealand holding on to a 16 point lead.

 

 

PNG started the third term full of running and trail by 6 points at 3/4 time. Inaccurate kicking is proving costly for PNG who have had more shots at goal than NZ.