James Segeyaro inclusion boosts PNG Prime Minister XIII Team

James Segeyaro. penrithpanthers.com.au Photo

PENRITH Panthers star James Segeyaro will play against the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII at Kalabond Oval in Kokopo on Sunday.

The 22-year-old will be playing before his East New Britain people for the first time since rising to stardom in National Rugby League in 2011 with the North Queensland Cowboys.

There would be nothing better to inspire the young man to play before his mother’s (Margaret) people from Kikila Point, Matupit Village, Rabaul District. 

The son of former Kumul five-eighth Iffysoe Segeyaro from Bena, Eastern Highlands, will be making his second appearance for the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister’s XIII and is sure to follow his father’s footsteps into the Kumul ranks for next month’s World Cup in England.

The senior Segeyaro played for the Kumuls and had the distinction of marking former Queensland Maroons and Kangaroo legend Wally Lewis in the 1980s.

PNG Rugby Football League acting chief executive officer Brad Tassell yesterday confirmed that Segeyaro (pictured) is confirmed to come and play after being cleared by his club.

“The only other player is Nene McDonald, who at 6’3 (192cm) is the new face of the Kumuls and an exciting one,” Tassell said.

Tassell said said that injured NRL stars Ray Thompson (North Queensland Cowboys) and David Mead (Gold Coast Titans) are also expected to be present on Friday to give moral support.

Team Kumuls general manager Matthew Natusch, speaking from Brisbane yesterday, confirmed that Kokopo Gurias five-eighth Dion Aiye would not play on Sunday as he was in Australia having a leg injury assessed.

“He is here (Brisbane) for a MRI scan to have a look at the extent of his knee injury,” Natusch said.

“We should also be back in time to watch the game (PM’s XIII),” he said.

 In related news, the PNG PM’s XIII in Kokopo, will join with their Australian counterparts to engage with the community (schools) on Saturday to talk about the importance of respect for one and other, especially women, and within the community. 

The match will also highlight the importance of education and healthy living.

The teams will visit various parts of the community in Kokopo to talk about these important messages on Saturday.

The National / PNG Kumuls