Gene stays loyal

KUMUL coach Stanley Gene has remained loyal to his players retaining the same side which leaked 14 tries last week to play England tomorrow in Auckland.
If there is one thing about Gene, other than the fact that he has no coaching credentials to speak of, it is that he is consistent.
And to a maddening degree, it seems. 
Despite the obvious need for a change, Gene has opted to persist with the under-performing three-quarter combination of centre Jessie Joe Parker and Elizah Riyong on the right side for the Kumuls final match of the Four Nations.
The Parker-Riyong partnership has shown itself to be grossly inadequate through-out the tournament but Gene appears to be myopic.
 The Kumuls’ right side defence let in nine tries against the Kiwis with centre Junior Sau and winger Sam Perrett scoring hattricks.
In releasing the 20-man squad yesterday to play the English tomorrow at Eden Park, only one change has been made to the starting 13 with David Loko replacing Johnson Kuike in the backrow.
Other than that re-shuffle, the team is as per programme the usual suspects.
Calls for Parker to be shifted closer to the action, at five-eighth, have fallen on deaf ears while the continual exclusion of winger Richard Kambo is baffling.
Team vice-captain Rodney Pora has made the 20 and hopefully makes the final 17.
Gene said during the week he believes PNG could beat England and armed with familiarity of the English game as well as opposition coach John McNamara, he might have the game plan to cause an upset.
He also has five Kumuls who have tasted English rugby league in Michael Mark (Hunslett), Charlie Wabo (Hunslett), Menzie Yere (Sheffield), Parker (Featherstone) and Makali Aizue (Halifax).
PNG have nothing to lose and Gene is expected to give Paul Aiton and his men a free reign with a licence to thrill or the English the route to score tries.
But England have more class and depth of players –  and more to lose – and will be out to avoid the wooden spoon at all costs.
The International Rugby League Federation’s player of the year, Sam Tomkins, says he relishes the prospect of ending his tournament on a high note  and added to the Pom’s chorus of intent is the selection of Sam Burgess at prop and Gareth Ellis in the backrow, both of whom can be devasting in defence and relentless on attack.   
The Kumuls showed glimpses of their attacking ability with two tries against the New Zealanders last week and could come close if they do not get too far behind on the score board. The question is does PNG have enough to take out England in a free swining affair?
Based purely on what is at stake in this match England are the hungrier and the more desparate hence they should win.
But the Kumuls will certainly make for an entertaining match and will put in a good effort but  in keeping with their form so far will come up short.
The Kumuls 20-man squad: Ryan Tongia, Michael Mark, Jessie Joe Parker, Elizah Riyong, Glen Nami, Dion Aiye, Makali Aizue, Charlie Wabo, James Nightingale, Rodney Griffin, David Loko, Paul; Aiton and reserves Benjamin John, Rodney Pora, Pidi Tongap, Nixon Kolo, George Moni, Richard Kambo and Johnson Kuike.