PNG Mosquitoes

The PNG national team is known as the Mosquitoes or "Mozzies" (aka Binatangs - local PNG name for small insects, similar to a mosquito). The Mosquito's jumper has the "Kumul" Bird of Paradise, a national symbol of PNG (and element of the national flag of Papua New Guinea), in the national colours of red, black and yellow.

The Mosquitos represent the best PNG born players from the clubs and teams of AFL PNG and is one of the nation's most successful sporting teams, currently ranked 3rd in the world behind Australia and New Zealand.

The national team has competed since 1973 and debuted internationally against Australia Under 17s in 1977.

PNG's national junior team also competes at Under 14, U16 and U18 levels in the Queensland Country Australian Football Championships and more recently, the Queensland State Australian Football Championships.

History

In the early 1970s, Australian clubs began touring PNG to compete against selections of local players but it wasn't until 1973 that the national team first began to form. 1977 was a historic year for PNG footy. The year saw the first ever international matches involving Australia at under-17 level between Australia and PNG. The Australian Under-17 squad toured PNG, and the PNG team reciprocated in Adelaide, with Australia dominating the game and taking the honours.

Subsequent decline in the sport in PNG did not see the Mosquitos compete until 1995, when Aussie Rules was first played at the Arafura Games in Darwin, Northern Territory. That year PNG won the gold medal of the International division defeating New Zealand. In the same competition, PNG also competed against sides from Nauru, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.

In 1996 the Mosquitoes played a curtain raiser to an AFL match in Perth, overwhelmingly defeating the Central Desert Eagles.

In 1997 & 199, PNG successfully defended their Arafura Games title, defeating New Zealand in the grand final on both occasions.

In 2000, the Mosquitoes were invited to play New Zealand in a curtain raiser to a pre-season AFL match in Wellington, but were unable to raise the funds required.

In 2002, PNG competed in the inaugural International Cup in Melbourne. The Mosquitoes went through the competition undefeated only to lose to Ireland in the Grand Final.

At the 2005 International Cup, PNG again went through the competition unbeaten only to lose the Grand Final to a much improved New Zealand.

At the 2008 International Cup their great rivalry with New Zealand continued, with both teams again meeting in the Grand Final at the MCG. This time, however, PNG turned the tables on the Kiwis and were crowned International Cup champions for the first time.

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