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Sports |
Kumuls are keen
PAPUA New Guinea Prime Minister’s XIII are rearing to go but
the Australia Prime Minister’s XIII is facing something of a
hooker crisis with South Sydney recruit Craig Wing ruled out of
Sunday’s match against PNG due to injury in the clash at Lloyd
Robson Oval in Port Moresby. Wing is set to undergo surgery
on both a calf and knee complaint in the coming weeks, ruling
him out of not only the clash against PNG but also the Test
against the Kiwis, AAP reported on Monday.
Wing only earned a call-up to the PM’s XIII when original
selection Robbie Farah was forced to withdraw due to a hip
complaint.
With Newcastle and NSW No.9 Danny Buderus also unavailable for
the trip to Port Moresby and the likes of North Queensland’s
Aaron Payne and Parramatta’s Mark Riddell still involved in the
NRL finals, Australian selectors have been left with few options
at dummy half, AAP reports.
Veteran Penrith hooker Luke Priddis may come into calculations
though his form fluctuated greatly in a disappointing year for
the Panthers.
In Port Moresby, the chairman of selectors Arnold Krewanty said
yesterday the PNG XIII, comprising SP Cup competition players,
will have to prove that they can win without relying on
overseas-based players.
Krewanty also said he hopes that PNG Rugby Football Leagaue (PNGRFL)
goes ahead with a trial match between overseas-based players and
the local players to select a truly representative side for the
World Cup next year.
“The local players have to prove themselves. Too often critics
down graded our overseas-based Kumul players for wasting their
time in our team. But now we must prove that SP Cup competition
is as tough as NRL competition,” Krewanty said.
Kumuls coach Adrian Lam, who is based in Australia, said
yesterday that he was pleased with the selection of players to
take on the Australians on Sunday.
“I am very happy with the experience in the team but I have to
do more against the Australian who are class players,” Lam said.
Lam, appointed in August 2006, will be coaching his second
Kumuls line-up having lost his first to the Australians 26-12
last year.
He said PNG was getting better each year with good support from
the junior and schoolboy league competitions nationwide.
The Kumuls coach said PNG will become a force to reckoned if the
junior programmes now in place continue to progress.
Assistant coach Michael Marum said PNG Prime Minister will give
their best on Sunday.
Marum’s team, Agmark Guria contributed two players in Menzie
Yore and Rodney Pora to the team
Coach Lam is expected to announce the final 17 players by
Friday.
The PNG Prime Minister’s XIII: Menzie Yere, Benjamin John,
Charlie Wabo, Dustr Mokley, Eki Ene, Francis Ray, George Moni,
Gimapau Keimelo, Jessie Joe, Johnson Kuike, Joseph Omae, Keith
Peters, Larsen Marabe, Michael Mark, Tu Maori, Nickson Kolo,
Nigel Hukula, Niko Slain, Porian Bal and Rodney Pora.
 
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