http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20040922/wehome.htm
Gene, Aizue to join Kumuls
ENGLAND-based Papua New Guinea rugby league players Stanley Gene and Makali Aizue have made themselves available for Kumuls selection for the Test against Australian next month.
The two Goroka men are also prepared to pay their own way to Australia from England for the October 9 Test in Townsville.
Each player is expected to fork out about K3500 in airfares to Australia, a great gesture as PNG Rugby Football League is presently cash-strapped and trying to keep costs down as much as possible.
Coach Bob Bennett said yesterday the Kumuls team would be officially announced today when they clear some minor issues with a certain position.
But the gesture by both Kumuls is welcome news as Genes experience and Aizues forward power would be needed to strengthen the PNG side, obviously underdogs against the mighty Kangaroos.
I think its great, Bennett said yesterday about the duos availability.
He has been in touch with both players Gene who plays for Huddersfield in the English Super League and Aizue is the first choice prop for Hull Kingstone Rovers in the English First Division.
We need muscle up front, Bennett said about Aizue, who has bulked up. And Stanley is playing five-eighth.
The rest of the side will be named from the Presidents 13 squad selected after the national zone championships in Lae a fortnight ago and eligible PNG players based in Australia.
PNG last faced the senior Kangaroos in 2000 when they were swamped 82-0 in Townsville and many would think the Kumuls are not the ideal opposition as Australia prepares for the Tri-Series against New Zealand and England.
While the Kumuls coach didnt discuss it, the blood ties with Broncos coach and elder brother Wayne, would have had some influence on pulling this Test off.
Wayne had called his younger sibling in 2000 to offer some advice not to worry about the thrashing but use it to prepare for the World Cup.
He even followed the Kumuls to Port Moresby to be guest speaker at a corporate luncheon at Holiday Inn and later offered some playing tips to the World Cup squad.
The Broncos head coach also released his coaching staff member Craig Bellamy now coach of Melbourne Storm and a strapper to be engaged by the PNG side.
Their involvement made a big difference as the Kumuls made a historic appearance in the World Cup quarter-final in England.
Aizue and Gene were members of that side.
Aizue made his international debut in Townsville while Gene, rested due to injury, now have to play the leadership roles players like Adrian Lam and Marcus Bai did that fateful day on October 7.
But hopefully, PNG can be a bit more competitive than last time.
A week after the Townsville Test, the Junior Kangaroos take on the Presidents 13 either in Port Moresby or Lae.
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Great gesture made by these two players. Marcus Bai wont be available though as he will be playing for Leeds in their Playoff Campaign.
Makali Aizue plays for Hull KR and from what ive heard he is a real fans favourite. He scored a hatrick the other week.
Gene, IMO is a great player, very lively and a real entertainer.
GO THE KUMULS!!!!!
Gene, Aizue to join Kumuls
ENGLAND-based Papua New Guinea rugby league players Stanley Gene and Makali Aizue have made themselves available for Kumuls selection for the Test against Australian next month.
The two Goroka men are also prepared to pay their own way to Australia from England for the October 9 Test in Townsville.
Each player is expected to fork out about K3500 in airfares to Australia, a great gesture as PNG Rugby Football League is presently cash-strapped and trying to keep costs down as much as possible.
Coach Bob Bennett said yesterday the Kumuls team would be officially announced today when they clear some minor issues with a certain position.
But the gesture by both Kumuls is welcome news as Genes experience and Aizues forward power would be needed to strengthen the PNG side, obviously underdogs against the mighty Kangaroos.
I think its great, Bennett said yesterday about the duos availability.
He has been in touch with both players Gene who plays for Huddersfield in the English Super League and Aizue is the first choice prop for Hull Kingstone Rovers in the English First Division.
We need muscle up front, Bennett said about Aizue, who has bulked up. And Stanley is playing five-eighth.
The rest of the side will be named from the Presidents 13 squad selected after the national zone championships in Lae a fortnight ago and eligible PNG players based in Australia.
PNG last faced the senior Kangaroos in 2000 when they were swamped 82-0 in Townsville and many would think the Kumuls are not the ideal opposition as Australia prepares for the Tri-Series against New Zealand and England.
While the Kumuls coach didnt discuss it, the blood ties with Broncos coach and elder brother Wayne, would have had some influence on pulling this Test off.
Wayne had called his younger sibling in 2000 to offer some advice not to worry about the thrashing but use it to prepare for the World Cup.
He even followed the Kumuls to Port Moresby to be guest speaker at a corporate luncheon at Holiday Inn and later offered some playing tips to the World Cup squad.
The Broncos head coach also released his coaching staff member Craig Bellamy now coach of Melbourne Storm and a strapper to be engaged by the PNG side.
Their involvement made a big difference as the Kumuls made a historic appearance in the World Cup quarter-final in England.
Aizue and Gene were members of that side.
Aizue made his international debut in Townsville while Gene, rested due to injury, now have to play the leadership roles players like Adrian Lam and Marcus Bai did that fateful day on October 7.
But hopefully, PNG can be a bit more competitive than last time.
A week after the Townsville Test, the Junior Kangaroos take on the Presidents 13 either in Port Moresby or Lae.
-----------------------------------------------------
Great gesture made by these two players. Marcus Bai wont be available though as he will be playing for Leeds in their Playoff Campaign.
Makali Aizue plays for Hull KR and from what ive heard he is a real fans favourite. He scored a hatrick the other week.
Gene, IMO is a great player, very lively and a real entertainer.
GO THE KUMULS!!!!!
