Wabo confident

By JACK AMI
KUMULS’ hooker Charlie Wabo is confident of securing his place in the team for the rugby league World Cup in England in September.
And Wabo, a member of the PNG Residents XIII, is looking forward to proving that he is worthy of the Kumuls’ No. 9 jersey when the home-grown team take on NRL heavyweight South Sydney next month in Sydney, Australia.
Wabo told The National yesterday that while he was aware of mounting pressure from overseas-based players such as Paul Aiton and James Segeyaro, he did not feel threatened but would focus on his performance at the Redfern match.
He said being a true competitor, he would not let Aiton and Segeyaro or any other high profile players get his way of retaining the Kumuls jumper.
He will get the opportunity to prove himself when the Residents team play in the Cabramatta Nines tournament in Sydney on Feb 2 followed by the match against the Rabbitohs at Redfern on Feb 9.
Wabo views the Sydney match as a crucial test of his ability and capability to perform at the highest level and he aims to convince coach Adrian Lam and the national selectors that he is the preferred Kumuls rake.
“The overseas players have begun preparations to raise their fitness level and we the PNG-based players should do the same,” he said.
“I have spoken to our local players in Port Moresby to train together to maintain our fitness and levels of skills.”
Wabo said fellow Resident players Josiah Abavu, Richard Kambo, Larsen Marabe and Junior Eliab had begun training with the Port Moresby Vipers team under head coach Shane Morris while waiting to go into the Residents’ training camp.
“This is a great opportunity to train under Morris as he is a certified Australian coach and we will gain extra motivation and bonding from his training sessions,” he said.
Wabo thanked the Southern Region Nines team management for allowing their coaches and trainers to assist in  training them.