Combos the key for us: Marum

Sports

By ISAAC LIRI
COMBINATIONS play a vital role in the routine of teams in rugby league, and with the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister’s 13 gearing up for Saturday’s clash against the Australian PM’s 13, Michael Marum is banking on his combinations to bring the challenge to the visitors from down under.
With the PNG Hunters play makers like Ase Boas and Wartovo Puara Jr expected to partner up in the halves, Marum is certain the pair can work well together as they have done in the Q-Cup.
“It’s very important we have these combinations in place against a top Australian side, you can see that we’ve also got some combination of players from the Digicel Cup teams, especially from the Lae Tigers,” Marum said.
He said the combination aspect in the game was a key factor discussed  by selectors.
“We (selectors) spoke about this team in the lead-up to the Digicel Cup final, and we monitored the players, and came up with this side, so I’m satisfied we’ve done all we can to get ready for Saturday.
“I’ve been impressed with the sessions so far, all the boys are really putting in and it’s good to see.”
Having been under Mal Meninga for the past two years as assistant Kumuls coach, Marum said it would be a challenge  facing ‘Big Mal’ from the other side.
Marum said his players were taking on some of the the sport’s best  but they would give 100 per cent and then some more.
“We just want to keep everything simple, just the basics on defence and attack, get off  to a good start and build from there.
“There are big guys, we won’t have the size to match them, but we got some really exciting players there, I think Justin Olam give Greg Inglis some problems, he’s proven himself all throughout the Q-Cup season so I just have to have faith in not only Justin but all the other 19 boys as well.”
Marum said the main point he was stressing was for his men to put in their all and gain from the expereince.