Kumuls have cover to injured players : Lam

KUMUL coach Adrian Lam says he has players to cover losses in the lead-up to next month’s rugby league World Cup.

The Kumul great said in light of recent injuries to Australian National Rugby League players David Mead (back) and Ray Thompson (jaw), he was still hopeful they would get a clean bill of health by the window of the tournament to be staged in England and Wales from October 26 to November 30.

The former Queensland and Papua New Guinea halfback said Thompson was in the running to secure the No: 7 jumper but with his participation in the balance there were other options in the Team Kumuls squad for the pivotal role.

“There are a couple of boys at the moment (who can fill the halfback role). Halfback is the heart of the side,” he said. 

“Obviously there are the players who are in the squad at the moment – Dion Aiye, Ray Thompson, who should be back by the first game of the World Cup, Ase Boas and Israel Eliab – so the halfback will come from that group,” Lam said.

Other sources from Team Kumuls have indicated Kokopo Gurias’ hooker Wartovo Puara Jr was a potential half. 

He slotted into the playmaking role for the Kokopo-based side in Sunday’s Digicel Cup preliminary final after five-eighth Aiye (51st minute) and halfback Boas (69th minute) came off injured against the Port Moresby Vipers.