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PNG name side to take on PM XIII
Sunday, 24 September 2006
PNG cricket star Gimapau Keimelo has been selected in the Kumul team to play the Australian Prime Ministers Xlll on Sunday week.
Keimelo, who plays for Paga Panthers in the Port Moresby rugby league competition, was picked after starring for his Wari Vele Raiders team in the SP Cup competition.
Keimelo is one of the four rookies in the team along with George Moni, Alphonse Kapil, Porian Bal and Charlie Wabo.
The selectors went for Keimelo, who can also play fullback, after number one choice Mexie Yere was ruled out with injury.
Notable omissions in the team are Muruks captain Stanley Hondina and Toyota Mioks centre Kevin Frank.
However, the selectors kept their faith in LBC Bombers' Eki Ene and selected him ahead of Frank.
PNG: Chris Purkikil, Rodney Pora, Channel Aquila (Guria), Wesley Benny, Wabo, Joseph Omae, Moni (Muruks), Kapil, Nigel Hukula (Lahanis), Ene (Bombers), Bal (Warriors), Johnson Kuike, Aaron Mulunga, Geno Kima (Bulldogs).
The overseas based players are Keith Peters, Paul Aiton (Penrith - Aust), Tuu Gray Moari (Cronulla - Aust), Omphalus Kua (New Zealand), Tom O'Reilly (France) Kevin Prior or Steve Franciscus (Australia).
Kua will become second PNG player to be selected from New Zealand. The first player to be selected from New Zealand competition was Daroa Ben-Moide when he was with Petone Club in Auckland.
PNGRFL chief executive officer Jeff Wade said this is not the final team as there may be changes after the SP Cup grand final on Sunday following medical examinations on Monday.
He said he is confident that the selectors have done their job, and it would be now up to coach Adrian Lam to see if they can be competitive against the Australians.
