Kumuls ready to cash in

PAPUA New Guinea stands a good chance of making its maiden rugby league world cup semi-final after being drawn in Group B with New Zealand, France and Samoa.
The 2013 tournament to be held in England and Wales sees the Kumuls with a realistic chance of reaching the second round of playoff matches unlike the last world cup in 2008 where PNG was drawn in the “pool of death” alongside league giants Australia, New Zealand and England.
Not surprisingly the Kumuls lost all their matches and exited the tournament early while fellow Melanesians Fiji made history by reaching the semi-final stage.
The current format has 14 teams in four groups with the top two groups A and B holding four teams while the lesser groups C and D have three teams.
With flexible eligibility rules and five years to ponder their place in international rugby league the Kumuls have enough talent to secure the number two spot in their group which will see them take on the third place finisher in Group B which would be either Fiji or Ireland.
But according to PNGRFL administrator, Ivan Ravu the sport and its administrators need to get their house in order first and start their preparations quickly for PNG to build momentum for the world cup.
This is a stern warning yesterday from acting PNG Rugby Football League administrator Ivan Ravu when releasing statement from International Rugby Football (IRF) on the 2013WRL Cup draws.
Ravu said PNG is pooled against World Cup holder New Zealand, France and Samoa in Pool B.
The World Cup tournament next year involves 14 nations which include; Australia, Cook Islands, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga, USA and Wales.
The acting administrator said our success would depend on PNG’s preparation for the tournament. It is very important that PNG Kumuls must have regular tournament starting this year until next year in preparation for the World Cup.
PNG’s biggest hurdle would be the immediate selection of coaching staff and players – training squad.
“It is 12 months away but it is important that we organise our possible team. PNGRFL can maintain the core of its Kumul players and also several members of emerging squad who are maturing very quickly who will provide depth to selection when making the team,” he said.
Ravu said the training must start now but the coach staff have yet to be appointed while PNGRFL Board is yet to be elected, and we (PNG) really need to work hard as soon as the positions are filled.
The biggest responsibility must go to representative players at Digicel Cup and international level to maintain their form as NRL players need not to worry as they are training week in and week out.
There are few PNG players such as Tyson Martin who is part PNG playing North Queensland Cowboys is also pressing for selection apart from David Mead and James Segeyaro from NRL competition.
A lot of players are contracted in England will have to work hard to make the training squad for 2013 World Cup.
PNG will be based out of Hull – the home town of former PNG Kumul player Stanley Gene will move around to play football.
The competition’s structure will consist of two groups of four, with England drawn alongside arch rivals Australia, Fiji and Ireland in Group A.
Scotland will face Tonga and Italy in Group C and joint hosts Wales have been drawn against the Cook Islands and the USA in Group D.
The first games and opening ceremony will be played on Sat October 26 and the final on Sat Nov 30. However, the full list of dates and kick-offs will only be announced when the broadcast schedule is finalised.
Ravu said PNG’s success would depend on preparation for the tournament.
“It is very important that PNG Kumuls must have regular tournaments starting this year until next year in preparation for the World Cup,” he said.
“PNG’s biggest hurdle would be the immediate selection of coaching staff and players – training squad.
“It is 17 months away but it is important that we organise our possible team.
“PNGRFL can maintain the core of its Kumul players and also several members of the emerging squad who are maturing well quickly who will provide depth to selection when making the team.”
Ravu said the training must start now but the coaching staff had not been appointed while the PNGRFL board is yet to be elected.
“The biggest responsibility is on representative players in the Digicel Cup while those playing overseas had the benefit of playing at a high level week in and week out.”
The Kumuls look to be well served in the halves and hooking roles with several NRL players eligible for selection.
NRL players David Mead, James Segeyaro, Neville Costigan, Ray Thompson and Tyson Martin are players who will be monitored by selectors.
Other Australian-based players who have kept under the radar but are very much in the mix are Tu’u Maori, Keith Peters, Jack Cooper, Matt Nightingale, Tommy Butterfield, Joe Bond, Jay Ashton and Rod Griffin.
England-based Menzie Yere, Paul Aiton, Ryan Tongia, Makali Aizue and Jason Chan have all excelled in the Kumul jumper.
A lot of players contracted in England will have to work hard to make the training squad for the 2013 World Cup.
PNG will be based in Stanley Gene’s hometown Hull.
The 14 nations are Australia, Cook Islands, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, PNG, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga, USA and Wales.
The first games and opening ceremony will be on Oct 26 and the final on Nov 30.