PNG Squad

[nadera78]

Josiah Abavu (Port Moresby Vipers), Paul Aiton (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats), Dion Aiye (Rabaul Gurias), Wellington Albert (Lae Tigers), Ase Boas (Rabaul Gurias), Jason Chan (Huddersfield Giants), Neville Costigan (Newcastle Knights), Israel Eliab (Port Moresby Vipers), Richard Kambo (Port Moresby Vipers), Roger Laka (Enga Mioks), Enoch Maki (Mendi Muruks), Larsen Marabe (Orange CYMS), Bosam McDonald (Sydney Roosters), David Mead (Gold Coast Titans), Mark Mexico (Lae Tigers), Jessie Joe Nandye (Whitehaven), Sebastien Pandia (Port Moresby Vipers), Francis Paniu (Rabaul Gurias), James Segeyaro (Penrith Panthers), Jason Tali (Mount Hagen Eagles), Ray Thompson (North Queensland Cowboys), Charlie Wabo (Mendi Muruks), Menzie Yere (Sheffield Eagles).

So they, like a few others, have named a 23-man squad. That leaves space for one late call up.

I have to say it's not a particularly big looking team, once again, and it seems disproportionately filled with backs and halves. From what I know of them there's only 3 props - Chan, Mexico and Maki. I think they're going to struggle with the size and strength of some of their opponents, particularly NZ and Samoa.

Anyone know what's happened to the following players - Trevor Exton, Tu'u Maori, Tyson Martin, Rhyse Martin, Jack Kelleher, Rod Griffin, Joe Bond? And Kurt Baptiste was rumoured to be eligible too, although we all know about internet rumours.

I think this is going to be a tough tournament for PNG.

 

[Misanthrope]

There's something of a lull in terms of quality PNG guys in the NRL these days. It's a far cry from the days of Marcus Bai and Adrian Lam.

 

[mikail-eagle]

I have to say it's not a particularly big looking team, once again, and it seems disproportionately filled with backs and halves. From what I know of them there's only 3 props - Chan, Mexico and Maki.

This has been one of the main criticisms the selectors have copped since the squad was announced.

If the Prime Ministers XIII game is any indication of things to come than a few of these backs might be used in the forwards again.

The Kumuls facebook pages have been inundated with complaints that specialist props and 2nd rowers were left out.

 

[mikail-eagle]

And I think Costigan will be the 4th prop in the rotation.

 

[RedVee]

Surprised to see Segeyaro, I thought he was injured?

 

[Springs]

I'll back them to beat Samoa. They usually have greater team harmony and coaching than Samoa or Tonga does, despite their perceived lack of talent.

 

[franklin2323]

Surprised to see Segeyaro, I thought he was injured?

Yep. Out until April

 

[mikail-eagle]

James Segeyaro has officially been ruled out today. He has been replaced by Prop Forward Joe Bruno from the Rabaul Gurias.

Massive loss.

 

[umina panther]

Biggest loss possible out of any team in the whole cup

 

[marv]

Such a tough break for them but Paul Aiton and Charlie Wabo are two specialist hoookers and many tier two nations wouldnt have that sort of back up in the squad.

 

[mikail-eagle]

I think Paul Aiton was in line to be selected as a lock forward in this tournament with Wabo & Segeyaro to rotate at hooker.

There is still one last spot in the squad that hasn't been filled and I'm not sure whether they are looking at bring in another hooker eg. Tommy Butterfield- East Tigers (QLD Cup) or maybe another prop (Makaili Aizue) or maybe a second rower (Rodney Grifin / Tyson Martin).

 

[nadera78]

I think Paul Aiton was in line to be selected as a lock forward in this tournament with Wabo & Segeyaro to rotate at hooker.

There is still one last spot in the squad that hasn't been filled and I'm not sure whether they are looking at bring in another hooker eg. Tommy Butterfield- East Tigers (QLD Cup) or maybe another prop (Makaili Aizue) or maybe a second rower (Rodney Grifin / Tyson Martin).

Do you know how much say Lam and Meninga have had in the selection? I find it hard to believe either of them expect to be able to enter this tournament with such a small line up, they're both so experienced.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Do you know how much say Lam and Meninga have had in the selection? I find it hard to believe either of them expect to be able to enter this tournament with such a small line up, they're both so experienced.

Am not sure about their input in team selection but that is a question that most league fans in PNG have been asking.
Its really a back-flip from the 2008 world cup and 2009 Pacific Cup where Lam picked teams with a majority of players from overseas.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Neville Costigan has been announced as the PNG Kumuls Captain at a press conference today.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Random picks on the PNG boys en-route to the UK.....

Boarding in Port Moresby...

 

[mikail-eagle]

Transit in Singapore

 

[mikail-eagle]

Stop over in Abu Dhabi

 

[mikail-eagle]

Arrival in the UK....

 

[mikail-eagle]

First training run........

 

[Evil Homer]

Thanks for the pics Mikali. I'm hearing that Enoch Maki and Francis Paniu have signed for Hull KR.