Olam scare over

Storm clear Kumuls star of wrist injury

PAPUA New Kumuls star Justin Olam has been given the green light to play Fiji on Saturday after Melbourne Storm doctors cleared the centre of a wrist injury.
“There was a small scare in camp over in Port Moresby over the weekend,” head coach Michael Marum said ahead of the clash at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand (3.20pm kick-off).
“The Kumuls medical staff revealed that Justin had a hairline fracture on his right wrist. The report was sent to the Melbourne Storm medical staff.
“Justin travelled to Melbourne on Monday and had scans on his wrist on Tuesday. Fortunately, the Storm have cleared Justin of a fractured wrist and he will join us in Christchurch tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, assistant coach Stanley Tepend says there are no injury concerns heading into Saturday’s Oceania Cup clash with Fiji at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The Digicel Cup premiership-winning coach said the final 17 from the 20-man squad would be confirmed after the captain’s run tomorrow.
Tepend said the Kumuls needed to be mentally prepared for the fixture, which kicks off at 3.20pm (PNG time).

“There’s no doubt that this match is going to be tough and we all know that,” he said at the Jackson International Airport on Monday before departing for New Zealand via Brisbane, Australia.
“But we (coaching staff) have the faith and trust in the squad to accomplish the mission against the bigger and heavier opposition with the quality and experience they have.
“After going through a video session on Fiji’s win over Samoa last weekend, we’re aware that their forwards have offloads in them. They have a decen kicking game too.
“But having said that, we are aiming to capitalise on their errors and keep any momentum in our favour.
“We aren’t worrying too much about them. We’re only concentrating on getting ourselves prepared the best way we can.
“It’s good that we’ve bonding sessions aside from training. It really helps when you have players like Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm) and Luke Page (Burleigh Bears) and Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos) from different teams at club level.
“Johnston is a quality player and starting at fullback, we’re looking to maximise his input against Fiji.
“We have another two more training session to add the finishing touches to our preparations before the match.”
Meanwhile, Tepend says the squad’s only Digicel Cup player Stanford Talita is using the Kumuls camp as a learning curve.
“If he is given the chance to play (against Fiji or the visiting British Lions), I’m sure he’ll go out there and give his best,” he said.
“There’s a lot of confidence in camp. The whole squad have settled in well and are enjoying each other’s company.”