Kumuls to play first test since 2019 win over British Lions

THE Papua New Guinea Kumuls will play their first Test since their historic 2019 win over the Great Britain Lions, when they meet Fiji in a Pacific Test double-header in Sydney, Australia, on June 25.
The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League said it was grateful for the return of international rugby league after a two-year absence.
“We acknowledge the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australian Rugby League Commission for supporting mid-year international matches for the Pacific nations this year,” the sport’s national governing body said in a statement last week.
“With the 2021 Rugby League World Cup re-scheduled to this year, the PNG LNG Kumuls are looking forward to the mid-year Test as an opportunity to build our preparations towards the World Cup.
“The Kumuls and Fiji Batis have had a great Melanesian rivalry over the last few years and this year’s international meet will be another exciting chapter of this story.
“The resignation of long-time Kumuls coach Michael Marum as well as the retirement of key players over the last two years, will provide a great opportunity for new players to continue to build on the great success that the national men’s rugby league team have had over the last eight years.”
The governing body said it was completing the process for the appointment of Marum’s successor with an announcement to be made this week.
“The extended Kumuls squad for the mid-year Test will be finalised by the new head coach and national selectors,” it said.
“With the wide pool of talented PNG players playing in the NRL, Queensland Rugby League (QRL) and New South Wales Rugby League, we are confident that the Kumuls will assemble a strong team for the mid-year Test in preparation for the World Cup in England.”