Trio’s availability unclear for Kumuls tests

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE availability of Nene Macdonald, Edene Gebbie and Alex Johnston for the Kumuls’ tests against Fiji and Great Britain next month is unclear, says coach Michael Marum.
Before leaving on Monday for the inaugural Rugby League World Cup Nines, Marum told The National that former North Queensland Cowboys back Macdonald, who has made nine appearances for the Kumuls, was in the country.
“He was asked to join us at training but he hasn’t been turning up,” Marum said.
“We know he is not registered with any (NRL) team yet and we are trying to assist him with that.
“We’ll just wait and see if he is available next week.
“We will try do some fitness tests on him. The last time he played a game was early this year and that’s a long time.”
In July, Macdonald was released from the Cowboys — seven months into a three-year deal — and the 25-year-old has since been without an NRL club.
The former Titans and Roosters flyer’s release from North Queensland came less than a month after he was involved in a traffic incident on Magnetic Island in Queensland.
A hire car leased under Macdonald’s name was found abandoned and damaged on June 20, according to media reports.
Marum said the availability of South Sydney-bound Gebbie would depend on the Rabbitohs management.
“I am in contact with (Rabbitohs coach) Wayne (Bennett). We will have a meeting with their management this weekend and see where Edene goes after the nines.
“If South Sydney need him for a full pre-season then we will allow him to go because they are his first NRL club and we want to make sure he is there from the start.”
Marum said South Sydney speedster Johnston had declined a Kumuls call-up on three occasions and that he wasn’t sure whether the 24-year-old was still interested.
“We haven’t really spoken to him. I’ve asked (former Kumul) John Wilshere to contact his manager again but we didn’t get any response.
“If he wanted to play for the country, he probably would’ve responded right away.”