Kumuls ready to swoop

By KEVIN TEME
ENGA Mioks and Kumuls star second rower David Loko has been cleared to play for the Telikom PNG Kumuls after being injured in a car accident after their 18-20 loss in the Digicel Cup semi-final against Rabaul Gurias two weeks ago.
Loko sustained minor facial injuries and concussion but he was in camp with the rest of the Kumuls team before heading up to Hagen yesterday.
Team medical officer Dr James Naipao yesterday cleared Loko to play the two test matches against the Fiji Bati.
“The injuries are minor and the stitches to the right eye lid will be taken out before Loko takes the field this Sunday.
“All cuts on his face have healed sufficiently and he is okay to play,” Naipao said.
Loko, a member of last year’s Four Nations squad, is expected to start in the backrow and team up with veteran prop Rodney Pora as they lead a young pack against a Fiji Bati team dominated by overseas-based players.
They are the most likely starters in the pack.
“I was worried when I had the accident but thankfully the injuries healed well and me and the boys  are psyched up for the Bati,” Loko said.
Coach Adrian Lam confirmed Pora would deputise for captain Paul Aiton.
“The team will be named on Friday (today) or Saturday.
“Aiton will captain the team while Pora will be vice-captain,” Lam said.
Aiton missed the 2009 Hardware Haus Cup challenge against the Bati after having  a knee reconstruction and is certain to start either at lock or at No.9 while Goroka Lahanis Glen Nami and  Hagen Eagles Dion Aiye pair up in the halves.
The probable line-up could see Vipers Joshaia Abavu at the fullback, with teammate Elijah Riyong and Lahanis Adex Wera on the wings.
Richard Kambo and Thompson Teteh are the likely centre combination.
Loko, Pora, Aiton, Lahanis’ wide-running prop Gonzilla Urakusie, Vipers tackling machine Sebastian Pandia, Pidi Togap and Mark Mexico make up a probable starting forward pack.
Kumuls are favoured to win in Mt Hagen with the home ground advantage to play a big part however with many new faces in the squad Lam is likely to stick with the aforementioned players.
On the other hand the Bati are expected to use their Australian-based players particularly Semi Tadulala and Sisa Waqa to provide the strike power out wide.
The Bati’s forward pack is an unknown quantity but the first 15 minutes of the match will  reveal if the visitors have the game to trouble the home side. 
The Bati were clear on their objective on arrival in the country on Wednesday.
Bati coach Joe Rabele stated his side were here to play and would not take the Kumuls lightly.
“The Kumuls have the home advantage but we have a strong side and we are capable of winning.
“They only beat our resident side (in 2009) and not our full national team.
“We have players from Fiji, Australia and one from England so we will give them a good run in this Sunday’s first match in Hagen,” Rabele said.
The Bati side has Sisa Waqa, Kitione Rasotale, Dan Ruicava, Semi Tadulala, Henry Raiwalui, Etuate Gusuivalu, Aborosio Delaimoala, Jone Sariri, Meli Kunadrau, Junior Roqica, Kemueli Seru, Semisi Tora, Jone Wesele, Paul Rokolati, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Atunaisa Turagaiviu, Rusi Loloma, Hamilton Hughes, Netani Suka, Semesa Cadrakilagi, and Apisai Nabou.