Leave Coates out, get loyal players

PAPUA New Guinean-born Brisbane Broncos speedster Xavier Coates’ decision to play for the Australian Kangaroos over PNG Kumuls has sparked a national debate in rugby-mad.
This is a massive blow to the Kumuls’ preparation for the rugby league world cup.
As far as I am concerned, there is no way Coates can be eligible to play for Kumuls again and Michael Marum should be aware of that.
Period.
The National Rugby League board ruled out making changes to the eligibility laws.
The rules state that if a player represents one of the tier 1 nations – Australia, New Zealand or England – they can’t be eligible to represent another country.
In the same way, only players who are eligible to play for Australia are allowed to represent Queensland and New South Wales in the state of origin series.
So what chances are there for Coates to wear the red, black and yellow jumper?
There is no chance.
I agree with my fellow countrymen that the obvious option would be to completely leave people such as Coates out of the Kumuls squad.
We need players to be loyal to their country and to think like Adrian Lam.
Lam dreamt of playing for Australia when he captained Maroons in 1995 in a 3-0 win over New South Wales, but when given the chance, the Rabaul-born halfback said he couldn’t turn his back on Papua New Guinea.
He went on to represent PNG at the 1995 rugby league world cup in the United Kingdom but revealed he was offered the chance to fulfil his childhood dream and play for the Kangaroos.
How sweet was that?
I call on the PNG rugby league board to select only those who are loyal.
If players such as Coates do not get selected for their preferred teams then why should we open our doors for them?
We are a proud country and we are not second class.
I believe there are many talented players out there who can wear our Kumul jersey with respect, pride and love.

Ian Aima,
Samari Kona