Mid-year test mulled

THERE is a possibility the Papua New Guinea Kumuls will play a mid-year test match in June apart from the Oceania Cup fixtures at the end of the season, says an official.
Kumuls coach Michael Marum told The National yesterday that mid-year tests were important for the national team, especially with the Rugby League World Cup kicking off in England in October next year.
He said the Kumuls had played mid-year tests since 2015 but given the recent change in the Asia-Pacific Rugby League calendar for the Oceania Cup, they would now play the Cook Islands and Samoa at the end of the year instead.
According to Marum, the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) plans to organise a test for the Kumuls in June.
He said they were awaiting the PNGRFL AGM, which was postponed to March 28, to confirm whether the proposed test would go ahead.
“Mid-year tests are important because that is when you see new players shine on the international stage,” Marum said.
“Local unknown players like Terry Wapi was a highlight in our mid-year test against Samoa in 2019.
“Such players are given an opportunity because in the middle of the year, some of our first-choice NRL and Super League players are not released by their clubs or are unavailable, freeing up spots in the side.
“For now, it is not confirmed yet but it will be a good opportunity for new players if PNGRFL goes ahead with organising the test.”
PNGRFL chief executive Reatau Rau told The National yesterday that the proposed test was only in the preliminary stages of discussion.