James Segeyaro named in Kumuls train-on squad

OVERSEAS-based World Cup hopefuls Paul Aiton and James Segeyaro arrive today for the Kumul Red and Kumul Gold trial match at Lloyd Robson Oval on Sunday.

Super League’s Aiton  of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats has represented the Kumuls from 2004-2010. 

Penrith Panther Segeyaro wants to follow his five-eighth father, Ifisoe, who played for the Kumuls twice in 1982-83.

Kumul coach Adrian Lam has said with the greater depth of players, World Cup selection would be extremely difficult.

The trial match on Sunday will see the cream of talent from the Digicel Cup fight overseas-based players for the trip to the United Kingdom next month.

The 14th Rugby League World Cup will be played in England and Wales from Oct 26 to Nov 30  

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) interim chief executive officer Brad Tassell said yesterday the duo are the only two overseas-based players including Jessie Joe Nandye, who is already in Port Moresby, that will play.

“David Mead (Gold Coast Titans) and Ray Thompson (North Queensland Cowboys) are injured but may still be considered in the coming weeks by national selectors,” Tassell added.

“The other players still have club commitments,” Tassell added.

The other overseas players also on the Kumuls watch list are Tyson Martin, Nene MacDonald, Jason Chan, Neville Costigan, Menzie Yere, Rhys Martin and Mark Mexico. 

The Digicel Cup players will also start their respective training with the Kumul Red and Gold teams today.

National selectors Arnold Krewanty, Samson Clayton and Steve Malum will select a team to play the visiting Australian Prime Ministers XIII the following Sunday in Kokopo. 

From this match a final 22 players will be named for the World Cup.