Team named for Kundiawa match

AN 18-man bemobile Cup side comprising players from the four franchises who missed out on this year’s finals series was named yesterday by PNGRFL chairman of selectors Arnold Krewanty.
The team will play the national zone side at Dickson Oval in Kundiawa on Sunday in what is expected to be an annual fixture on the PNG Rugby Football League calendar, according to PNGRFL chairman Gary Juffa.
“We want to have the zone championships annually and for them to play a bemobile Cup side which will really help develop rugby league in the rural areas,” Juffa said.
He said Kundiawa as being an ideal venue to stage the match and added that it would be considered as a permanent host for the fixture.
“The Simbu Warriors management and people of the province have come together to make their side a success on and off the field and this has been very encouraging.”
The bemobile sides which contributed players were Mt Hagen Kuris, Simbu Warriors, Lae Bombers and Masta Mak Rangers. They will be coached by Port Moresby premiership-winning coach and Paga Panthers stalwart Richard Wagambie.
Several players have been rewarded for stellar seasons, despite playing in beaten teams, the most notable of which were Rangers fullback Emmanuel Uki and Warriors pair of Willie Guambo and centre Sonny Daing.
Former Lahanis half and current Warrior Mack Siwi earned a spot on the bench while the forwards have an uncompromising edge with the inclusion of veterans Johnson Kuike, Kot Kerua and Francis Ray.
Kumul three-quarter Anton Kui and prop Nixon Kolo are the only other players with international experience.  The bemobile Cup side: Uki (Rangers), Robert Koronus (Kuris), Kui (Rangers), Daing (Warriors), Tiger Emere (Warriors), Martin Yanda (Bombers), Guambo (Warriors), Kolo (Rangers), Nathan Hoyato (Warriors), McQuin Kunjil (Warriors), Emmanuel Kunjil (Kuris), Ray (Rangers), Sidney Fred (Bombers), Kuike (Rangers), Michael Gawi (Bombers), Siwi (Warriors), Kerua (Kuris) and Toksy Owi (Warriors).