Former Kumul hails rise of national side

By PARKER TAMBUA
FORMER Papua New Guinea Kumuls captain Neville Costigan has praised the rise of the national side over the last four years.
The 2010 St George Illawara Dragons premiership winner said the Kumuls had improved a lot since he last captained the side at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in England.
“I think the Kumuls team have improved a lot compared with where they were five years ago,” Costigan said.
“They have a lot of good forwards coming through and a number of good young backs playing in the Intrust Super Cup, NRL and English Super League.
“The Hunters programme has certainly boosted the side and we have seen the results.
“The Kumuls did well at the 2017 World Cup and consecutive wins in the Pacific Tests before losing to Samoa this year.”
Costigan, who played six Tests for the Kumuls, said the side would get even better once they had few more players playing in the NRL and Super League.
“They have a great future ahead, they will probably need some more good props and youths playing in first grade, and they will get better and better,” Costigan said.
Kumul No.227 Costigan was part of the Brisbane Broncos Legends who played their Kumuls counterparts at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The Broncos won 44-32 in a highly entertaining match.