Six to debut for Kumuls

The National Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA
COACH Justin Holbrook has named six debutants in the Papua New Guinea Kumuls team that will face the Cook Islands in the Pacific Championship Bowl challenge opener on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
Senior Kumuls in Justin Olam and Rhyse Martin have been rested for the Santos National Football Stadium clash while Edwin Ipape, who was initially named in the 21-man squad, was omitted for reasons yet to be confirmed.
PNG Hunters utility Judah Rimbu was named as the starting hooker and will make his Kumuls debut.
Former Lae Tiger and Hunters enforcer Junior Rop gets his opportunity to notch his first Kumul appearance after having featured for the PNG Prime Minister’s 13 on numerous occasions since 2016.
The other debutants are Hunters back-rower cum centre Benji Kot, who will come off the bench, Capras forward Valentine Richard will start in the front-row while two prominent debuts will be St George Illawarra Dragons middle forward Jack de Belin and North Queensland Cowboys centre Zac Laybutt.
Meanwhile, Cook Islands have named a quality side that will feature a strong forward pack with Leeds Rhinos back-rower Zane Tetevano, Parramatta Eels middle forward Makahesi Makatoa, South Sydney prop Davey Moale amongst other NSW Cup and Queensland Cup players.
PNG and Cook Islands have met six times in history with the Kumuls winning all matches. The Kukis have been to Port Moresby twice with their first ever match played at the old Lloyd Robson Oval in 1998 where Kumuls won 46-6 and their last visit was in 2009 Pacific Cup with a 14-42 loss.
Kumuls: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Robert Derbey 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Roderick Tai 5. Nene Macdonald 6. Kyle Laybutt 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Epel Kapinias 9. Judah Rimbu 10. Valentine Richard 11. Jacob Alick 12. Dan Russell 13. Jack de Belin; Interchange: 14. Liam Horne 15. Nixon Putt 16. Junior Rop 17. Benji Kot 18. Cruise Ten. Kukis: 1. Esom Ioka 2. Malachi Morgan 3. Kayal Iro 4. Esan Marsters 5. Steven Marsters 6. Brad Takairangi 7. Tevin Arona 8. Davvy Moale 9. Rua Ngatikaura 10. Makahesi Makatoa 11. Zane Tetevano 12. Reuben Porter 13. Pride Patterson-Robati; Interchange: 14. William Samuel 15. Rhys Dakin 16. Justin Makirere 17. Kadiyae Ioka

 

4 comments

  • I’m happy for Isaac Rop Jr making up to the Kumul ranks following his late father, Isaac Rop Snr’s foot step. The late Isaac was a lethal weapon on the field. He could run like a back liner and crush a lot of people in his flying tackles back in his playing days.

  • Why Jereniah Simbiken was not selected in this Kumuls side, after he played quite well in the Prime Ministers’ 13 recently?

  • I am happy with the six debutants since they have exposure to international competitions and they have the experience to steer Kumuls to win games.

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