Kumuls selectors looking to assemble strongest squad: Marum

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls head coach Michael Marum says selectors will decide whether some key positions need to be filled by players from the United Kingdom.
He told The National yesterday that they were considering all their options in a bid to put together the strongest squad possible for next year’s Rugby League World Cup in England. Marum said due to the impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) on sports this year, the coaching staff and selectors had not been consistently monitoring PNG players in the UK.
“We have some former Kumul players based in the UK, so we’ll sit down with the selectors and decide,” the former SP Hunters coach said.
“Due to the stop-start season this year caused by Covid-19, we haven’t really monitored them.
“But we’ll look at how they perform in the coming season and by mid-season the selectors will decide whether they are needed in some key positions.
“The Kumuls haven’t played since 2019.
“In order to compete well (in the World Cup), we need a lot of competition for spots.”
Marum said selectors were also considering players from other competitions, including the Hostplus Cup and Australia’s National Rugby League.
Meanwhile, Marum said former Brisbane Broncos winger and Melbourne Storm recruit Xavier Coates was on his radar.
“Xavier is still considered as part of the team since he debuted for the Kumuls against Samoa in 2019,” he said. “When he makes up his mind on whether he want to play with the Kumuls then the selectors will decide on his inclusion in the squad.
“We still have time before the World Cup, so we will be monitoring players in different competitions.
“But we are just hoping that there will not be any more Covid-19 disruptions.”