The time has almost arrived for the Nauruan Chiefs to show off their version of the Australian game on the international stage.
With just five days remaining until their opening round of the AFL 2008 International Cup, the Nauruan national team is primed for success.
The majority of the squad has taken their free-flowing, speed based game to the Wimmera, Horsham District and Lexton Plains Football Leagues since arriving in Australia in late April. Their influence on the local game has been a breath of fresh air for all clubs, and infact leagues, involved, but their main mission has only just begun.
The Nauruan boys are here to win.
After an eighth placing of 11 teams in the inaugural Cup in 2002, Nauru disappointingly withdrew from the next event in 2005. However, the Chiefs have experienced plenty of success in the Australian game, including a gold medal at the 2001 Arafura Games in Darwin.
The team that takes the field over the next two weeks will be much different to any of these sides, with just Rudin Spanner, who plays his football for Great Western, believed to have been part of the country's 2002 Cup team.
The squad has been put through a rigorous training regime since arriving in Australia, which has seen players step out twice a week with their designated clubs and every Wednesday under the watchful eye of coach Wes Illig.
Illig said the squad is travelling well ahead of its first round hit-out against the fancied Papua New Guinea outfit.
``We are going along alright,'' Illig said.
``Obviously this time of year it is a bit cold and there are some injuries floating around but we have identified a few areas we have got to do better.
``Most of them are training Mondays on their own.''
The Chiefs' chances of success have been strengthened with their comfortable victory over a combined Swifts team in a practice match under lights at Central Park. Despite the cold, chilly conditions, the Chiefs showed plenty of flair.
It is expected Nauru's hopes of a competition victory lie with their speed and ball carrying ability, not their height.
``We are playing Papua New Guinea who are all going to be short-statured and quick so physically we have to make a contest,'' Illig said.
``You can't hit what you can't catch.''
Originally known as the World Cup of Australian Football, the third edition of the International Cup is scheduled to mark the 150th anniversary of Australian football.
The competition will see teams from 16 countries pull on the boots in both Melbourne and Warrnambool, held between August 27 and September 6.
Nauru will vie for the mantle of the International Cup champion with Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peace Team, Samoa, South Africa, Sweden and USA.
A key feature of the Cup is that all players must be citizens of their country (no expatriate Australians are eligible to play in the International Cup). Teams are comprised solely of amateurs who must be nationals of the country they represent.
The competition will be split into four pools of teams, with the Chiefs (pool B) set to open their Cup campaign with a clash against PNG at Ransford Oval in Melbourne next Wednesday. They will then tackle Great Britain at Western Oval, also in Mebourne on the Friday before an easier clash with the Peace Team at Walter Oval in Warrnambool.
Teams finishing in same positions in groups A and D and also B and C after the initial three group matches will play off in the first round of finals matches on Wednesday, September 3 before final standings are decided with the second round of play offs on the Friday. The battle for first and second will be played on the hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, September 6.
A slight dilemma has arisen for a handful of the Nauru players on the eve of the Wimmera and Lexton Plains Football League finals series'.
Key Warriors players German Grundler, Mal Batsiua and Otto Adam are all part of the club's finals plans as are a number of players for Navarre's reserves team. However, if it comes to the crunch, Illig said the Warriors and the Grasshoppers will play second fiddle.
``We can't say yes or no, we will just have to see what happens,'' Illig said.
``If we beat Papua New Guinea then I won't let them come back (for finals). If we beat PNG and Great Britain, there is no way known they are coming back.
``If we lose and Stawell is still carrying injures, we are flexible. The team will decide, not me.
``How we perform in those opening two games will depend on if they come back.''
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff