Richard Wagambie a defined Rugby League Coach

By Emmanuel Uki - (MM Rangers Fullback)

Former PNG Kumuls Test Center and current Kumuls rookie assistant Coach, Richard Wagambie has proved his worth as a capable PNG Kumuls coach.

In 2007 he was hand picked by the former Governor of National Capital District, Wari J Vele to coach his now defunct Franchise, the Wari Vele Raiders in the then SP Cup competition.

It was my debut year and as a new kid in the premier competition, I learnt that he was a no non-sense coach. I can describe him as a defined coach because the team (Raiders) he was in charge of was the wooden spooner of the 2006 SP Cup Competition. Upon his inclusion as the head coach, he came up with 2 set goals which he wanted the team to achieve throughout season.

1. Long Term Goal – The team should make it into the Finals and not remain as wooden spooners.

2. Short Term Goal – Concentrate on winning week in week out and take every game as a grand final.

To achieve these goals, Richard was more practical in his coaching tactics. Instead of just issuing instructions like most coaches, he gets involved in how to apply the latest drills and skills of rugby league by demonstrating them himself. He would yell and swear like nobody’s business when we continue to do same mistakes in training until we get it right. I also wonder sometimes why he gets himself so drenched and dirty instead of avoiding the mud during rainy training sessions.

Any way, I was glad he saw the talent in me and chose me as the first choice fullback from among other 3 experienced custodians namely Yamo Tau (Former Vipers), Fugi Duri (Former Brian Bell Bulldogs), Romalus Mago,(Former Kumuls). “Nobody in the team was above the guidelines set by the board,” he would say. He’s an advocate of disciplined football, this was evident when he had to sideline a Senior Player Andrew “hit man” Norman for being drunk and absent for training. Even though it was round two and Andrew was a key attacker and a strong defender he was slapped with a 2 match suspension. However without Andrew, he encouraged us that we should not depend on Andrew everything we learnt should be applied fully. We managed to achieve both of our goals that year by slipping into the top 5 and lost to Lahanis due to many injuries sustained by bulk of our players during the previous game.

Last year he was asked by Enga Mioks to take up the vacant coaching position. I asked him why he had to turn down the offer and this is what he said, “Going to Wabag is not a problem to me but what matters most is my Family.” Richard has a family who is always supportive of his efforts in terms of developing Rugby League. He was contracted to play in France but escaped back to PNG because his wife was expecting their first son, Brendan. This shows how loyal he is to his family, so staying away from now a bigger group is something he wouldn’t prefer as he has an obligation as a father to all those lovely kids.

Whilst unattached to an SP cup team he turned to focus on his local Club, Paga Panthers. His efforts paid off well when both the Panther’s senior and junior division reached the grand final of Port Moresby Rugby League (PRL) where the A grade team won the premiership.

I am proud he has been called in to assist Mark Mom in the recent test match against Fiji. He has a great impact in coaching so his inclusion is no mistake.

In years to come I think he’ll be referred to as the “PNG’s Version of Wayne Bennett.
Go carrot! U yet yu best ya!!!