Somare applauds Kumuls

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has urged the current crop of PNG Kumuls players to be consistent to keep their spots for the four nation’s tournament.
Sir Michael made this call when hosting a reception for the Kumuls players on Monday night, in Port Moresby, which was attended by sponsors Telikom PNG, SP Brewery and the National Gaming and Control Board.
He commended coach Adrian Lam and the players for making PNG proud in the SP Brewery Pacific Cup by securing their place in the Four Nations tournament next year against the rugby league heavyweights Australia, England and New Zealand.
“You did not only win the Pacific Cup but you have qualified for the Four Nations series, and will be the ambassadors of the Pacific at the tournament.
“Don’t relax too much, you still have to keep your places so keep working hard,”  Sir Michael added.
It was a positive outcome according to the PM, after negotiations with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd during the Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns earlier this year that Australia would be assisting PNG a lot in terms of sports programmes and rugby league was one of the priority sporting codes.
With the Kumuls victory in this tournament indicates a promising signal to the government of Australia that PNG is passionate about rugby league and there are strategies that must be worked on to improve most of the aspect of the code.
“If other Pacific Island country players can take the NRL competition and world by storm why not PNG? We can be a force to be reckoned in rugby league and the entrance to the four nation’s series is the opportunity for us to showcase our large pool of talent,” added Sir Michael.
Coach Lam thanked the sponsors, the government of PNG, players and management team of the Kumuls for their efforts to see the national team’s success every year and it has been best result ever for the Kumuls.
He applauded his boys for been the toughest side in the tournament. Lam believed his boys have improved in their attack and defense in last two games, this performance has to be displayed again at the four nation’s series.
The Kumuls coach also officially announced the retirement of captain John Wilshire from his rugby league career and the match on Sunday against the Cooks was the last rep duty for Wilshire to be in the red, black and gold jersey.
The Dragons assistant coach in 2010 stated that it would be exciting if PNG will be given the opportunity to host one of matches of the four nation’s series in Port Moresby next year to give the Kumuls chance to play in front of their home crowd.
All the members of the squad and team officials were each given some cash incentives during reception as a token of appreciation, courtesy of National Gaming Control Board.