No regrets for Loko at missing World Cup

 DAVID Loko will not be donning the Kumul colours at this month’s Rugby League World Cup in England. 

Loko (pictured) said from Mendi, Southern Highlands, last week the selectors had made their decision on what they thought would be the best team for the World Cup and, although disappointed, he was not going to dwell on it. 

“It’s the directors’ decision. What can I say, I’m all right,” he said.

“ Lam (coach Adrian Lam) talked for a long time after the game (Prime Ministers’ XIII match). He explained that there were only a limited number of places in the squad for each position. 

“I think there’s only four or five places for second-rowers,” Loko said. 

Four players, including Loko missed the cut. Props Joe Bruno and Petero Sanivalu and fullback Adex Wera were left out of the 23-man World Cup squad. 

The Papua New Guinea PM’s XIII were beaten 50-10 at Kalabond Oval in front of a capacity crowd of about 6,000 that included Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. 

Loko said he started off the bench and admitted he did not have his best game against Australia. 

“I came off the bench and played lock. I think I made two errors and gave away a penalty.” 

The 23-year-old said he felt his ordinary form that day may have cost him a berth in the Kumuls. He said he would spend the rest of the year in his home town but would be notified by the PNGRFL if an opportunity came up to play Queensland Cup matches. 

The Southern Highlander burst on the scene in 2010 making his name as an aggressive, wide-running backrower for the Enga Mioks. 

He was only 20 and as raw-boned as they come. 

Nevertheless he earned a spot in the history-making Stanley Gene-coached Papua New Guinea side that played in the Four Nations tournament in Australia and New Zealand that year. 

He has been a regular feature in national squads (Kumuls, Residents XIII and Prime Minister’s XIII) since then and was part of all five Kumul Camps this year. 

Perhaps the best performance in his career so far was against the Australian PM’s XIII in last year’s fixture at the Lloyd Robson Oval on September 23 – won 24-18 on the fulltime siren by Australia. 

That day he scored a try and was a constant threat to the Australian defence with his foot work and running lines enabling him to consistently get over the advantage line. 

He could have easily scored three tries if it had not been for loose carries. 

Perhaps it was that facet of his game that was deemed a liability by selectors who have opted for dependability and work rate.