Coach: Delay buys time

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls coach Michael Marum says the postponement of the Rugby League World Cup will give him more time to prepare the men’s national team.
But on the flip side, the national coaching director told The National on Tuesday that the postponement could affect the selection of representative players who were aging.
“The safety and wellbeing of players are paramount and I think the postponement was a good decision,” he said.
Marum said the good thing was that it give him and the coaching team more time to prepare well and build a strong squad.
“The SP Hunters are struggling to find form, that’s where most representative players come from,” the former Hunters coach said.
“The Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) is not progressing smoothly due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the Hunters are facing that challenge too.
“With the postponement, it gives them another season to improve their performance and impress the Kumuls selectors.
“We have a growing number of potential young Kumuls coming up, they are also vying for spots in the team and older players could be disadvantaged.”
The 2017 ISC premiership-winning coach said there were some potential Digicel Cup players who were being monitored.
Meanwhile, Marum said there could be some representative matches at the end of year.
“The World Cup is now off,” he said.“What’s next for us?
“I think PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka and chief executive Stanley Hondina are trying to organise a few trials and tournaments at the end of season, so we’re looking forward to that.”