Coach queries Mioks duo missing selection

 ENGA Mioks coach Timothy Lepa has spoken out at the snubbing of David Loko and Esau Siune by national selectors. 

Lepa, who has long been a critic of the way rugby league is managed, particularly of the Kumuls, said he took umbrage at the treatment of his players in light of their Digicel Cup form throughout the year and their experience from previous Kumul tours. 

“The Kumuls need some hard men, with a bit of size and toughness. I can’t understand why Loko and Siune were not considered,” Lepa said in reaction to last week’s naming of the Kumuls squad. 

“They should recall David and Esau. They’re making a big mistake if they think the current team is going to be as effective,” he said.

“Esau is as hard as they come and he keeps running all day.” 

The Mioks mentor was particularly critical of Loko’s non-selection. “He’s (Loko) a starter. He’s the best back-rower we have in PNG. He performs on the big stage,” Lepa said of Loko’s omission from the World Cup squad. 

Lepa said he had seen Loko rise through the ranks from playing bush league in Mendi, Southern Highlands, to the largest off-season competition, the Ipatas Cup and then on to the Mioks – from a teenager to adulthood. 

“He was scouted (for the Mioks) from the Ipatas Cup in 2009. 

“He was a centre initially but we converted him into a forward and his career just took off from there,” lepa said.

Lepa claimed that the team selected was more the doing of the coaching staff then the PNGRFL national selectors and the board.