PNG LNG Kumuls

On the back of the Hunters’ success in taking out the Queensland Cup this season, PNG veteran Paul Aiton has given the national side an on-par chance of sending England home early.

Speaking from Melbourne, Aiton said it’s a 50-50 as far as the Kumuls are concerned; they are training to win!

PNG coach Michael Marum has left out Lachlan Lam following his sensational two-try debut against the United States, opting for experience in the halves with Ase Boas.

The Kumuls looked to be tight-knit and were in good spirits during their training sessions throughout the week, frequently sharing jokes and laughter.

The Minister told the Kumuls at a farewell dinner, after their 64-nil victory over USA, that the national side has now equalled the 2000 World Cup quarter-finals performance in England.

17 years on from the Kumuls experience then, they now have the opportunity to meet another Northern hemisphere rival in England in the quarter-final in Melbourne, Australia.

Raminai used the opportunity to thank the 2017 World Cup organisers and sponsors Oil Search and NCD, among others for the successful staging of the three pool matches in PNG.

Rod Griffin has been named in the 17 while young Lachlan Lam who had an outstanding debut last weekend against USA has been included in the extended 21 man squad.

Garry Lo has been named however will be given until the weekend on his ankle injury.

The 21 man squad is:

Just like every Papua New Guinean, a proud Prime Minister Peter O’Neill extended his congratulations to the PNG LNG Kumuls on their whopping victory over USA yesterday (Nov 12).

"You demonstrated your professionalism on the field for a spectacular result,” says the PM.

"From the players, coaches and support staff we have seen commitment to deliver three straight wins.

"It will be a tough match, and we know that you will give it your all as you prepare for the game in Melbourne next week.”

A hat-trick to Justin Olam and a double to debutant, Lachlan Lam, contributed to 11 try rout to complete a clean sweep of the Kumuls’ pool matches in front of yet another sell out at the Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.

The home side came out firing from the start with Lam pumping his fist in celebration as he opened the scoring.

This opened the floodgates.

It was 22-0 after 18 minutes with the Kumuls right on top, scoring at nearly a point a minute.

The drinks break at the end of the first quarter offered some relief for the weary Hawks.

The PNG LNG Kumuls had 34 points under their belt when they went for a break, with the USA Hawks yet to score.

Just a minute back from half time and David Mead scooped the ball and did an 80-metre run to score for the PNG Kumuls. A successful conversion by Rhyse Martin made it 40-nil, in favour of the home side.

Unfortunately, Gary Lo got a right ankle injury in the second half and was unable to come back on for the rest of the match.

This, however, did not affect PNG’s try-scoring streak.

7 mins 53 secs into the match, James Segeyaro picked up an inside ball, offloading to Lachlan Lam who opened up the account for the PNG LNG Kumuls.

Lam, although on debut, made no secret of his ability in rugby league.

Rhyse Martin then had no problem converting, giving PNG an early lead, 6-nil.

Kicking dead off the restart, the USA Hawks struggled with the wind behind them.

Justin Olam went through from a pass from young Lam to score out right in the 11th minute.

Former players including Emmanuel Kairu, David Gaius, Tuksy Karu, Richard Wagambie, Bobby Ako and Dikana Boge paraded around the stadium before forming a line to welcome out the players from the dressing rooms.

The USA Hawks and PNG LNG Kumuls Pool C match kicked off at 3pm.