Lockyer backs Mal

By JOHN PANGKATANA
FORMER Australian Kangaroo five-eighth and Brisbane Broncos star Darren Lockyer has given the thumbs up at the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League snaring the services of Mal Meninga.
Lockyer, who served the Queensland Maroons with distinction in do­minating the State of Origin series for the past decade, believes the PNGRFL is more than lucky to acquire the services of the highly successful Maroons coach.
Meninga is at the forefront of the Maroons winning the State of Origin series for a record seven consecutive years. This year will be an eighth potential series win against the New South Wales Blues.
Lockyer gave his endorsement when he met Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko at the Airways Motel in Port Moresby on Monday night.
The retired Broncos star turned television commentator said the PNG­RFL could not have asked for a better mentor to take Team Kumul to this year’s World Cup, set up the foundation for possible entry into the Queensland Cup competition next year and a total revamping of the game nationwide.
“Mal not only comes with his coaching ability but it is what the coaching staff, management and development officers that will acquire as they will step up with his professionalism and knowledge of the game,” Lockyer said.
“Mal has the capacity to take what you have and develop it.”
Lockyer told Tkatchenko there was no other country he knew that had the passion for rugby league like PNG.
“I’m just surprised that the Kumuls are not miles ahead in becoming a dominant force on the international stage,” he said.
“I believe Team Kumuls has an exciting team with Mal and Adrian (Lam) and I will be more than happy as well in whatever capacity to assist as well,” Lockyer said. 
Tkatchenko, who is at the forefront of changing the face of the game, told Lockyer that PNG needed all the help it could get and would certainly look towards the rugby league icon to drive the Team Kumul message.