Richard Pandia will become Kumul number 279 when he takes his position on the wing for the PNG LNG Kumuls in the Pacific Test against Cook Islands on Saturday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
The other debutants are Tommy Butterfield (280) and Nixon Put (281) who will both come off the bench.
PNG LNG Kumuls coach, Michael Marum said the trio have been playing well for their Intrust Super Cup teams and have been rewarded with a Test call up.
“Richard will start on the wing with Adex Wera moving to the centres,” said Marum.
Marum added that Wellington Albert and Israel Eliab will start off the interchange bench.
Chairman of the PNG Rugby Football League, Sandis Tsaka will present the jerseys to the debutants at the team hotel tomorrow evening.
The PNG LNG Kumuls:
- Stargroth AMEAN
- Justin OLAM
- Thompson TETEH
- Adex WERA
- Richard PANDIA
- Ase BOAS
- Watson BOAS
- Henry NOKI
- Wartovo PUARA Jr.
- Luke PAGE
- Rhyse MARTIN
- Rod GRIFFIN (Captain)
- Stanton ALBERT
Interchange
- Tommy BUTTERFIELD
- Wellington ALBERT
- Nixon PUT
- Israel ELIAB
Coach: Michael MARUM
The Kumuls and Cook Islands game kicks off at 3.00pm.
This will be followed by the Tonga and Fiji Bati fixture at 5.30pm with the last game of the triple header at 7.40pm between England and Samoa.