Time for international commitments

HeLLO to all our rugby league families and friends throughout Papua New Guinea and overseas.
Welcome to the 28th edition of Coach’s Corner in your favourite rugby league newspaper — The National.
Well done to ‘White Kumul’ Luke Page and his Burleigh Bears for winning the Intrust Super Cup premiership over his ‘Koiari’ Kumul teammate Edene Gebbie’s Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Sunday.
Edene got the competition’s best fullback nod at the Queensland Rugby League awards night on Friday.
Also a special mention to our emerging Kumul, of Gulf heritage, Xavier Coates for the men’s representative player of the year award.
The NRL grand final on Sunday looms as one of the best of this decade when the Canberra Raiders take on Sydney Roosters.
Will Cooper Cronk reproduce the heroics from last year when he played with one arm or will Ricky Stuart’s mentoring skills take the trophy to the Australian capital? And remember both are halfbacks.
The representative season starts this month with the inaugural Rugby League World Cup Nines in Sydney.
The Kumuls and Orchids teams were named on Tuesday. It’s not an easy task to pick the best 16 players for this inaugural shorter version of our great game.
I will be in Port Moresby next week and will organise a day with the media to clarify any queries.
It’s every child’s dream to wear the red, black and gold jumper. I will be reminding the players that all eyes are on them and to be good role models and ambassadors of our game and the country — on and off the field.
The Coca-Cola National Schools Rugby League tour of Queensland has been deferred to the end of this month due to the processing of national identification documents.
Like in sports and other aspects os life, it’s a process put in place for everyone to follow.
I hope this is all done soon so we don’t deprive the students of their aspirations and dream to represent the country in the youth division.
And to the selected players, please keep training and stay healthy until you get to Port Moresby.
Medical and fitness tests will be the first thing carried out and if you fail, you will be sent home. In the meantime, please attend classes.
Finally, my family and I would like to wish my media and public relations man a happy belated birthday.
Ephata Samuel turned another year younger yesterday. This guy keeps me informed and alert of everything that happens in the game.
He constantly reminds me that we have our sponsors, partners, media and everybody involved in our No.1 game, to attend to. We will catch up when I return to Port Moresby.
Until next week, play safe, play hard and play by the rules in whatever sport you are taking part in.
If you are a spectator or supporter, please behave yourself at the venue and on the way home. There is no room for violence in any sport and the community.

Cheers,
Mikz