Hull KR forward Neville Costigan believes Papua New Guinea can surprise a few teams in World Cup

PNG Captain. Neville Costigan

PAPUA New Guinea captain Neville Costigan believes the Kumuls will surprise a few people as they bid to take care of some unfinished business in the World Cup. The 28-year-old, who will play for Hull KR next season, was a member of the PNG squad dealt the toughest of draws in the 2008 showpiece when up against Australia, New Zealand and England.

Having returned home without a win, Costigan wants to make amends in this year's event which starts with a double header at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, October 26.

The Kumuls start with matches against Samoa and France at Craven Park, before taking on New Zealand at Headingley for their final pool game.

Although it won't be easy, Costigan is determined to get a World Cup win this time around.

"I've been looking forward to this all year, especially after the last World Cup," he said on his team's arrival in the city yesterday.

"After not winning a game in the last World Cup, I'm expecting big things this time.

"I felt we played well in all three matches.

"We have a lot of young players in our squad and it's important for them to gain as much experience as they can as quickly as they can.

"We're looking to get into the quarter-finals and then hopefully the semi-finals.

"All the players are excited, which is good, and we're hoping we can go far in the tournament.

"We're playing a trial game this weekend against Scotland so we're all looking forward to that."

Costigan wants to use the World Cup to show Rovers' fans what they can expect from him during the two years he is contracted to the Robins.

Costigan could be joined by two of his Kumuls team-mates at the Robins after the World Cup, with the club set to run the rule over the as yet unnamed pair with a view to signing full-time deals at Craven Park.

And he hopes to see more of his international colleagues make the most of this potentially life changing opportunity by earning deals in Super League or NRL.

"From the last World Cup, we saw Kumuls players earn contracts in England and Australia," Costigan explained.

"All the players know this is a great chance for them to show everyone what skills they have and to prove they can mix it on the biggest stage.

"You never know, they might just earn a contract somewhere.

"There are a number of players in this squad who watched the last World Cup wanting to be a part of this one.

"They have worked very hard for that to happen.

"They don't have much back home so I'm hoping to see a few of them play in England next season."

With an inexperienced side around him, Costigan knows his role as captain will be paramount to PNG's chances of getting out of their pool.

Having enjoyed a successful NRL career with Brisbane, Canberra, St George and Newcastle, he is relishing being the team's leader.

"As captain my role will be important," Costigan added.

"I've not captained the side for a while but I don't mind leading the boys.

"All the boys look up to me a bit and they follow what I do so that's all good.

"I want to show them how to be responsible and be consistent on the pitch and in training.

"We need to take the things we do on the training field into matches if we are to be successful.

"Hopefully, we can go as far as we can and we might see more PNG players play over here."

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