PNG Kumuls look forward to annual Prime Minister's XIII clash with Australian Kangaroos

Port Moresby (The National): THERE will be no origin type trial to select the Prime Minister’s XIII team to play the visiting Australian Kangaroos this year.

All players, oversees and home-grown, will now mix to form a possible versus probable clash on Sept 22 to select the Prime Minister’s XIII team for their annual clash this time in a new venue, the Kalabond Oval in Kokopo, East New Britain province.

This is unlike the past where oversees based players played a one-off match with the Digicel Cup selected

talent to finalise selections.

Team Kumul general manager Mathew Natusch yesterday confirmed the new move will allow for local and overseas talent a chance to rub shoulders early and possibly forge working combinations.

Natusch said this following the start of Camp Four which got underway on Monday in Port Moresby.

“The management is now working to confirm the final camp to bring in the larger pool of players that have been monitored in early September to identify two teams to play the possible versus probable match,” he added.

National selectors will now be looking to finalise their lists over the next month to coincide with the overseas component. 

He also confirmed that the national selectors are also in camp.

Natusch also confirmed that there is a rule on players playing in lowly country or district competitions as well. 

He said most players targeted are either playing in the Australian National Rugby League or England’s Super League.

He also confirmed that following the Prime Minister’s XIII match in Kokopo, selectors would announce the Kumuls for the World Cup.

In regards to Camp 4, Natusch said today’s schedule would see the players work on their defensive patterns in the morning session and further ball-work orientated training in the afternoon.Camp 4 ends tomorrow.