Tepend happy with 16-man squad

PNG Kumuls’ Terry Wapi training in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. Coach Michael Marum’s men face the United States in the Rugby League World Cup Nines opener tonight (8.25pm kick-off). – PNGRFLpics

KUMULS assistant coach Stanely Tepend says he is pleased with the calibre of players in the 16-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup Nines which start today.
Before leaving on Monday for Sydney, Australia, where the two-day tournament will be held at Bankwest Stadium, Tepend said all the players had the ability to think and play fast.
“This game is faster and shorter, with only nine minutes each way,” Lae Tigers coach Tepend said.
“So our national selectors have done well by picking a few halves so that they can be creative in delivering on the field.
“Edene Gebbie, Stanford Talita and Terry Wapi play alike so that’s a bonus for the team.
“Moses Meninga, considering his offloading skills, was an excellent replacement for Lachlan Lam who could not make it due to personal reasons.
“We’ve got New Zealand and Australia in our pool, so we are anticipating a tough tournament. It’s crucial that we make use of every opportunity presented to us.
“These two teams will give little away so we have to be at our best to capitalise on those opportunities.
“Even though we will be playing Australia and New Zealand, I’m confident we will score points.”
Pool-A squads: PNG – Edene Gebbie, Bernard Lewis, Daniel Russell, Justin Olam, Terry Wapi, Kyle Laybutt, Watson Boas, Nixon Putt, Wartovo Puara, Stargroth Amean, Jedidiah Simbiken, Rhyse Martin, Garry Lo, Edwin Ipape, Stanford Talita, Moses Meninga; Australia – Kalyn Ponga, Daly Cherry-Evans, Wade Graham, Ben Hunt, Tyson Frizell, Mitchell Moses, Kyle Feldt, Clint Gutherson, Campbell Graham, David Fifita, AJ Brimson, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jai Arrow, Nathan Brown, Reuben Garrick; New Zealand – Jamayne Isaako, Ken Maumalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klostad, Briton Nikora, Corey Harawira-Naera, Shaun Johnson, Dylan Brown, Leeson Ah Mau, Kodi Nikorima, Joseph Tapine, Adam Blair, Jeremy Marshall-King, Kevin Proctor, Zane Tetevano, Reimis Smith, Bailey Simonsson; United States – Corey Makelim, Ryan Burroughs, Junior Vaivai, Ronaldo Mulitano, David Washington, Charlie Jones, Kristian Freed, Eddy Pettybourne, Connor Donehue, Mark Offerdahl, Joe Eichner, Jerome Veve, Danny Howard, Jay Florimo, Khaliah Harris, Bureta Faraimo.
Fixtures: Fri, Oct 18 – PNG v US (8.25pm kick-off); Sat, Oct 19 – PNG v New Zealand (12.45pm), PNG v Australia (4.15pm).