PNG CEO: Player selection policy altered following change in eligibility rules

[Burns]

http://www.radionz.co.nz/internatio...kumuls-to-change-rugby-league-world-cup-plans

Papua New Guinea plans to tweak its preparation for the Rugby League World Cup as a result of the proposed changes to international eligibility rules.

The PNG Prime Minister's 13, made up primarily of players from the Digicel Cup domestic competition, were thrashed 58-0 by a shadow Australian side in Port Moresby last month.

Michael Marum's Kumuls are not playing any post-season test matches this year and had planned to hold a couple of training camps with their extended squad.

But PNG Rugby League CEO Bob Cutmore said they might be forced to rethink.

"We've got a couple of players playing in the Super League and the NRL with PNG heritage so it will be very interesting as we sit down now and move forward towards 2017 World Cup," he said.

"We were planning a camp late December but that mightn't take place now because with the new eligibility rules a lot of the NRL players wouldn't get the time off to attend the camp.

"It would be in the middle of NRL pre-season training because we thought our emphasis would have to be on our Queensland Cup players and so forth but with the eligibility ruling that will change."

Bob Cutmore has already had discussions with Michael Marum about what players could come into consideration as a result of the rule change.

"I think on our first list we had about 12 (first grade players with PNG heritage). We've got quite a few PNG heritage boys playing NRL and they might put PNG as their second choice now - gives them a chance to play in a World Cup," he said.

"It's a great change...it will probably suit Samoa, Tonga more than it will PNG but at least it gives us some opening to have a look at players.

Things that are interesting.

• Confirmation that PNG have no games planned for the remained of 2016. That's disappointing.
• A player camp with NRL based players would be unlikely due to NRL clubs not releasing players in December. Ugh.
• Who has PNG heritage in the NRL and isn't running around for the PNG team now? Who would they pick?

 

[roughyedspud]

We've been trying to find out for years if ben barba has PNG heritage?

 

[Burns]

We've been trying to find out for years if ben barba has PNG heritage?

Now we'll know! Forget the Hunters, lets name the entire NRL and see what sticks!

 

[jim_57]

About 12?

Segeyaro, Mead, Thompson, MacDonald, Aiton & Baptiste are the only regular/semi-regular "first graders" I can think of, not counting the likes of Griffin, Ottio etc.

Wouldn't mind seeing PNG going down this route to bridge the gap between them and the big 3 a bit. PNG should really be rivaling NZ though as a source for players for the NRL. The hunters fielding a junior team to get kids on display early to NRL teams would be huge for the game in PNG, their international team and the NRL's apparent talent shortage.

 

[deluded pom?]

Segayaro is at Leeds now.

 

[roughyedspud]

I don't think the png guys understand the laws...they are talking about heritage players as if its a new thing....i think?

 

[qwone]

Alex Johnston also has PNG heritage, he would also be one of the 12 they're referring to.

 

[jim_57]

Segayaro is at Leeds now.

The article says Super League and NRL.

Hoping Segeyaro and PNGRL can put aside their differences before the World Cup.

 

[roughyedspud]

Its segeyaro that has the issue with the PNGRL..

 

[adamkungl]

Tbf I can see why clubs won't release players for a pointless training camp.
Maybe PNG should have tried actually playing games when every other nation is through October and November?

 

[deluded pom?]

The article says Super League and NRL.

Hoping Segeyaro and PNGRL can put aside their differences before the World Cup.

Apologies jim. I didn't read the full article.

 

[mikail-eagle]

PNG Players in NRL and Super League;

1. David Mead
2. Nene McDonald
3. Alex Johnson
4. Ray Thompson
5. Kurt Baptiste
6. James Segeyaro
7. Paul Aiton

Other PNG Players in Aust 2nd tier apart from the Hunters

1. Rodney Griffin - West Tigers
2. Kato Ottio- Canberra Raiders
3. Ryse Martin - Canterbury Bulldogs (Starting 2017, could even make NRL Team)
4. Willie Minoga - Townsville Blackhawks
5. Luke Page - Burliegh Bears
6. Tommy Butterfield - East Tigers
7. Richard Pandia - Ipswich Jets
8. Sebastin Pandia - Ipswich jets
9. Willington Albert-Penrith Panthers
10. Stanton Albert - Penrith Panthers
11. Abel Shirley- Paramatta Eels NYC

Players who may have PNG Heritage and may need confirmation;
1. Ben Barba
2. Jonus Pearson

 

[jim_57]

Really is a crime there are so few PNG players in the NRL & Super League. All this talk of lack of talent for expansion and we a have a country of 7 million RL nuts just north of Queensland that remains pretty much untapped.

Get PNG Hunters junior teams up and running ASAP to get the country's best in the spotlight young.