Second Kumul NRL star in doubt for World Cup

DAVID Mead is the second Kumul in doubt for next month’s Rugby League World Cup after injuring his back playing for the Gold Coast Titans on August 24.

The round 24 loss against the New Zealand Warriors at Skilled Park in Robina, Gold Coast, was Mead’s third match at fullback, a position that he last played for Papua New Guinea in 2009 at the Pacific Cup in Port Moresby.

An injury update on the Titans’ website during the week described it as a “broken back” but it did not elaborate on the seriousness of the injury.

Mead, pictured, was replaced by Kevin Gordon in yesterday’s 30-22 upset of the stumbling NRL competition leaders the Sydney City Roosters in Sydney.

Kumuls coach Adrian Lam, who was at yesterday’s Digicel Cup preliminary final between the Port Moresby Vipers and the Rabaul Gurias in Port Moresby, described the injury as “a niggling one”.

“He’s had a niggling one (injury) there (back) but it shouldn’t stop him from playing in the World Cup if he’s committed to it,” Lam said. 

“The only other injury we have to worry about is Ray Thompson with a broken jaw and Neville Costigan may have minor knee surgery, which could keep him out for two to three weeks. I think they (Titans) are waiting to get some X-rays back on that so we’ll wait and see what unfolds.” 

Mead, 24, is no stranger to making comebacks from a serious injury, having broken his jaw in April playing against the Parramatta Eels.

Mead made his debut for PNG as an 18-year-old at the 2008 World Cup and has been a regular starter for the Titans since.