PAPUA New Guinea featured a crop of fresh talents at the 2024 Touch World Cup in Nottingham, United Kingdom recently as the debutants made their mark on foreign soil.

Among new faces were Brisbane based brothers Brendan (22) and Hayden (20) Wong who played their hearts out for PNG and proved their worth in the Mens open national team at the Federation of International Touch (FIT) sanctioned event.

“It meant a lot for me playing along with my older brother representing our home country and also getting to meet the veterans who made their third and second world cup appearances in this event,” Hayden said.

The Wong brothers have roots back home through their dad Terrence, who was born and raised in Rabaul as well as their mum who is part East New Britain and New Ireland.

“We are always eager to learn more about our culture with the help of our parents teaching us a bit of their language, so we’re learning about it and all that.”

“Hayden and I were born in Australia, Brisbane so, it’s not too often we get to go home and rep our colors and country. So, it was good to be there and experience this was a huge honor.”

The Wong brothers said they were privileged to have played along side the last two veterans Eugene Eka (captain) and Bobby Vavona who were part of the 2015 squad that made history for PNG claiming bronze medal at the World Cup in Coffs Harbor Australia. 

“We grew up playing touch so there’s no stopping now, it’d be good for us to give back to our country and what we’ve learned.”

“It was an absolute playing for PNG at the World Cup and feature alongside these veterans,” Brendan said.

Both siblings have experience playing in the top competitions in Australia and have represented PNG in the junior competitions.

They were also part of the Queensland PNG (Paia) who travelled into PNG to compete at the 2023 National Championships in Popondetta, Northern to qualify for a spot for the TWC this year.

“Most of the time we’re playing with Australian players, it’s pretty much sharing the same IQ and knowledge in a game of touch footy but it was good to learn and adapt to the PNG boys’ style of play at the national championships and in the World Cup,” he added.

Meanwhile the Wong brothers said they will put their hand up again if the opportunity comes back for them to represent PNG at next World Cup.