Kumuls needs high level players

(From left) PNGRFL Media and PR Manager Ephata Samuel, PNG LNG Kumul Coach Michael Marum, PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka and PNG LNG Kumul Captain David Mead with the Rugby League World Cup at the announcement of 2017 RLWC Draws in Brisbane last month.

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Michael Marum as PNG LNG Kumuls coach has said that he will be looking at players in the higher competitions of Rugby League around the world.

He said this at an interview after his appointment as the Papua New Guinea Kumuls coach for the Rugby Leauge World Cup in 2017.

He added that the pool of players he was looking at was at the local level and the international level as well.

“We want to get the best players for the world cup and for future games, players with form in the NRL Super League, NSW Cup and QLD Cup” Marum said.

When asked about the players in England Marum said they would be considered but their competitions were not up to standard like the players that made the Kumuls team against Fiji and won.

“Yeah we got players in England the lower competitions Diyon Aiye, Jessie Joe, Israel Eliab and Makali Aizue again we looking at best players playing in top competitions”

“We won the game against Fiji because we had boys competing at the highest level and they knew each other well but it depends on the selectors but I will be pushing for players in the higher competitions”

He said his first order of business with the help of the PNGRFL Board was to start scouting for players for next year and getting his coaching staff together.

“We are not only looking to next year but players this year as well towards next year, we want to see players in camp I think for me is to get back to the coaching staff to see if we can work out our schedules that work with the selectors and others.

“We want to keep all the former kumuls who helped in the coaching staff, during the test match against Fiji and they have put their hands up again to help in the next two years.” Marum said

He added that a mix of youth and experience was certain and lead up matches would be a good way to get players working together.

“We want to work with our young players the experienced players are good there are still players that will be coming through next year to the hunter’s program as well, again it will be up to the selectors.

“We need lead up matches invitations will be sent to other countries so we can play to get some trial matches before the World Cup.

“We are in a good pool and we want to make it count and if we play well make the quarter finals with Australia, England or New Zealand our focus is to start well,”. He added