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Kumuls named
BOAS brothers, Ase and Watson, will take on the massive responsibility of leading the Papua New Guinea Kumuls around Pirtek Stadium, Sydney, on Saturday against Fiji after the pair were named in the halves in Michael Marum’s side for the Pacific Test.
Ase, 27, has been the Hunters first choice play-maker for the season and will play five-eighth while younger brother Watson, 22, who is debuting for the PNG LNG-sponsored national side, slots in at halfback.
Ase is expected to be the chief play-maker while Watson will support in the distribution and kicking.
The siblings are the first brothers halves combination to play for the Kumuls. Coach Marum said picking the brothers was as much about their combination as it was about what they brought to their roles.
“Ase is our best half and he’s in good form in the Q-Cup,” Marum said.
“He was always going to be our first selection in the halves while Watson brings speed and has a good long kicking game, which we will need.”
Marum, who was assistant to former coach Mal Meninga in last year’s first Pacific Test against the Bati which PNG lost 22-10, said the national selectors and his staff were not going to make the same mistakes from previous years by naming players in unfamiliar roles.
“I think it’s important we pick players in their best positions and in roles that they are used to playing.”
Last year Meninga opted to push Noel Zeming to halfback and the Hunters centre saddled with the added responsibility struggled to lead the side while the lack of familiarity saw forward Luke Page mostly ineffective.
“We want those combinations between the players and with Ase and Watson, they have that so it will make their jobs easier.
“We have guys in the side who are familiar with each other and then we have players like David Mead, Nene McDonald and Kurt Baptiste, who add NRL class and experience.”
Titan Mead returns to the Kumuls for the first time since the 2013 World Cup, while McDonald was part of last year’s side that played Fiji.
There are five debutants in the side with Watson Boas, Stargroth Amean, Baptiste, Justin Olam and Henry Noki (Wan) set to run out on Sunday in Kumuls colours for the first time.
Hunters winger Olam muscled his way into the team off the back of an impressive debut season in the Q-Cup, reminiscent Gary Lo in 2014, and is fast becoming a cult hero for PNG fans.
Amean, normally a fullback, has been named on the wing, with Marum saying the Hunters custodian had proven himself with his workrate, defence and ability to find holes in the defensive line.
Canberra Raiders reserve hooker Baptiste is great inclusion and is expected to complement starting rake Wartovo Puara Jr.
Burleigh Bears prop Luke Page and Townsville Blackhawks duo Rhyse Martin and Willie Minoga all return to the Kumuls. Martin in particular has been in dynamic form over the first eight rounds of the Q-Cup and should start in the No.11 jersey.
Four shadow players – who have not been named – will wait in the wings and depending on injuries and will be called into the squad when Marum confirms his 17 next Tuesday.
