PNG Kumuls prepare for Rugby World Cup

THE PNG Rugby Football League and the Team Kumul High Performance Unit yesterday announced a 24-man squad for Kumul Camp 4. 

The high performance camp to be held in Port Moresby from July 22-25 will focus on the progression of the skills, attitude and knowledge of the Papua New Guinea-based players.

Lae Tigers Fijian prop Petero Sanivalu has been named in the squad along with Tigers teammate George Benson and Goroka Lahanis lock Bernard Tatsim. 

Enga Mioks prop Esau Siune makes a return to camp after missing out on camp three. Albert Patak and Mark Mexico were not considered because of injury.

Team Kumul coach Adrian Lam said the players were building well to World Cup.

“We are continuing to build on what we’ve done in the previous camps and what the players have been tasked to do in between camps. 

“We are getting closer to the business end of the year where we plan to have several matches, which will culminate in the selection of our PNG National team to go to the Rugby League World Cup. 

“The National selectors have done a wonderful job in keeping us informed and have recommended a couple of new players to be invited to attend this camp, which Mal and I are excited about,” Lam said.  

The camp will see the attendance of the national selectors who will get to experience first hand what the invited players get put through. 

Chairman David Tinemau said that it would be a great opportunity to experience the camp environment and how the players cope.  

PNG Kumul Players

“It will be good to see the players in a highly professional environment which will prepare them for representing PNG. 

“It gives us a different perspective on the players attitude and attributes compared with the usual 80 minutes that we see them playing against each other. 

“We have bolstered the numbers of this camp to 24. 

“There have been a few injuries, notably Albert Patak and Mark Mexico, but we also want to have a closer look at a few new players as well and how they perform under the high performance camp training. 

“Having said that, we are still keeping a close eye on a large group of players who won’t be attending this camp.” 

The players will assemble in Port Moresby on Monday following their Round 15 commitments with the PNGNRL competition.  

Kumul Camp 4 squad:   Josiah Abavu, Richard Kambo, Charlie Wabo, Enoch Maki, Sebastian Pandia, Larsen Marabe, Israel Eliab, Dion Aiye, Ase Boas, Wartovo Puara, Joe Bruno, Adex Wera, Tatsim, Jason Tali, Tiger Emery, David Loko, Siune, Sigfreid Gande, Thompson Teteh, Mogi Wei, Wellington Albert, Sunivalu, Willie Minoga and Benson.