PNG Kumuls named to face France

PNG Kumuls coach Adrian has named a strong line up for the opening Group B World Cup game against France at the M3 Craven Park in Hull, England on Monday.
Mark Mexico and Enoch Maki will pack down in the front row with Paul Aiton as hooker while Dion Aiye and big Jason Chan are the second rowers. Skipper Neville Costigan will lock the scrum.
Titans David Mead who stood out in the warm up game against Scotland last week has been selected at fullback with young Nene Macdonald and Joshua Abavu on the wings.
Israel Eliab has recovered well from a minor injury and will partner Menxie Yere in the centres.
Guria sensation Ase Boas is the half back with Cowboy’s Ray Thompson outside him at five eighth.
“We have selected a pretty strong side for our first game against France with size, experience and youth,” Lam said from the team’s hotel in Hull last night.
Lam is not looking too much into France’s loss to USA in their warm up match last week. “They will regroup and come hard at us. But we are concentrating our preparations on what we believe can do to win,” he said.
The game will be played at 3am on Monday morning (PNG time) and will be televised live on EMTV.

The Lineup

1. David Mead
2.Nene Macdonald
3.Israel Eliab
4. Menzie Yere
5.Joshua Abavu
6.Ray Thomsom
7.Ase Boas
8. Enock Maki
9. Paul Aiton
10.Mark Mexico
11. Dion Aye
12.Jason Jan
13. Neville Costigan (C)

Reserves
14. W. Albert
15. Larsen Marabe
16. Richard Kambo
17. Jessie Joe Nedye