By DAVID KAPI
THE Telikom Origin rugby league match involving two possible Kumuls team is here to stay and will lift the standard of representative football.
Kumuls coach Adrian Lam said that there are new bloods and experienced players that will be involved in the match on Saturday and expected a fiery encounter as players were fighting to earn the right to wear a Kumuls jumper.
“Em nau, wantok bai kaikai wantok (it’s mate against mate). It will be thrilling and fantastic to see my dream realized. This is the way forward,” said Lam of the inaugural national selection trial involving overseas-based PNG players as the Internationals (Yellows) and local based payers as Residents (Reds).
Lam, a former NRL star half-back, said an added bonus for the players was that Australian NRL club scouts will be in town to assess PNG players.
The Internationals will be bolstered by experiences and class of Hull KR export to British Super League Stanley Gene, team-mate Makali Aizu and former PNG Presidents XIII skipper John Wilshire.
Yellows will be even advantaged with NRL club Penrith Panthers duo Keith Peters and Paul Aiton with host of other young and enthusiastic payers in the likes of Tu Maori of Cronulla Sharks, Steve Franciscuss and others.
The Residents are equally are a tough side boasting star backline of Menzie Yere, Jessie Joe, Gimapau Keimelo, Francis Ray, Michael Mark and Larsen Marabe.
And the Internationals will have their hands full with big men in Rodney Pora, Nicko Slain, George Moni, Nigel Hukula lead by hooker Charlie Wabo making inroad for stylish back-rower Joseph Omae and Gorege Moni running in holes from Benjamin John short passes.
Two teams trained together under Lam yesterday and will do the same today, but will train separately starting tomorrow under their respective coaches Michael Marum (Residents) and Brendan Lam (Internationals) for the match on Saturday at Lloyd Robson Oval.