Kumuls coach role advertised

THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) has advertised the role of Kumuls head coach as a matter of compliance as it prepares for this year’s World Cup.
League chairman Sandis Tsaka said last December that the board had approved for coach Michael Marum to continue in the role until a permanent appointment was made.
“As such, in compliance with our governance and human resources processes, PNGRFL has sought to advertise the position,” he said.
“The coach appointed will be responsible to prepare the national team for this year’s planned international programmes and take the PNG LNG Kumuls to the Rugby League World Cup in England in October.”
League chief executive officer Stanley Hondina confirmed with The National last night that it was up to Marum whether to re-apply for the role.
“We can’t answer that for him,” he said.
Tsaka said Marum coached the national men’s rugby league team for a third-consecutive term before his contract had expired.
“Marum has led the Kumuls coaching team in his role as the national coach over the last eight years with great distinction,” he said.
“During his tenure as the national head coach from 2014 to 2022, the Kumuls had improved greatly in their international rankings to rise from 16th to fifth place.”
The Kumuls have won seven out of the 10 Tests overseen by Marum as head coach.
Marum’s highlights in the role was the 2016 Pacific Test against Fiji at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney, Australia where his men won 24-22.
The win was Kumuls’ first win on foreign soil in 16 years.
Another highlight was the 2017 Rugby League World Cup where the Kumuls beat Wales, Ireland and the United States in their pool matches at Port Moresby’s National Football Stadium.
Marum’s most recent highlight was the Kumuls’ historic Test win over the Great Britain Lions in Port Moresby in 2019.