Kumuls to be named today

Sports
Sandis Tsaka

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE national men’s rugby league team and their new coach will today be named today to face Fiji in a mid-year Pacific Test match, according to an official.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chairman Sandis Tsaka said yesterday that Michael Marum’s successor would name the final 17-man line-up for the Campbelltown Stadium clash in Sydney on June 25.
“The selection of the Kumuls is the responsibility of the coach and national selectors,” he said.
“The PNGRFL board is delivering it (squad list) and we hope to announce that by tomorrow 1pm.
“We will announce the new coach and selectors. It’s also the same for the Orchids. It’s the role of the coach and selectors (to finalise the line-up).”
The Batis and Kumuls last met in the 2019 Oceania Cup in Christchurch, New Zealand, where PNG went down 20-22 in a thriller.
The representative weekend will also see Samoa face the Cook Islands at Campbelltown. New Zealand will host Tonga in Auckland on the same day – 24 hours before game two of the State of Origin series.
Meanwhile, the Batis named their 25-man squad on Tuesday, according to Fiji Sun.
The side will have the services of big-name National Rugby League players in Viliame Kikau, Apisai Koroisau, Mikaele Ravalawa, Maika Sivo, Semi Valemi and Tui Kamikamica. Fiji Sun reported that Batis coach Josaia Rabele would use the Pacific Test to prepare for the Rugby League World Cup which would be held in England in October.
“This is the time for us to go through our game structure against a strong Kumuls side before the World Cup,” he said.