Broncos' Mead to captain PNG at RLWC17
Oct 4, 2017 - 3:56 AM Papua New Guinea have announced their 23-man squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, with Brisbane NRL player David Mead to captain the Kumuls.The squad contains a smattering of NRL representatives including Cronulla's James Segeyaro and fringe players from lower grades.
Also included are 10 players from the PNG Hunters after their grand-final triumph in the Queensland.
Coach Michael Marums has opted for both Boas brothers, Ase and Watson, along with Wartovo Puara, Wellington Albert, Willie Minoga, Stargroth Amean, Nixon Putt, Stanton Albert, Moses Meninga and Enock Maki.
Gary Lo makes a welcome return to the national side along with Segeyaro.
PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka on Wednesday congratulated the squad.
"Riding on the back of the successful SP PNG Hunters season in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup, the support of our nation's eight-million-plus people will turn to the PNG LNG Kumuls in the 2017 World Cup campaign," Tsaka said.
"With three home games, the expectations of our people is there for you to perform well. All we ask of you is to play every game with pride and passion. We will be right behind you."
Coach Marum said the squad would assemble on Thursday in Port Moresby and undergo medical and fitness tests.
"We will have our first training run on Friday," he said.
The team leaves for Fiji next Wednesday for the Tri Nations series against Australia and Fiji on October 14 in Suva.
The Kumuls play their first World Cup game on October 28 against Wales. Their second match is on November 5 against Ireland and the final home pool game is a wek later against USA. All thre games will be played in Port Moresby.
KUMULS SQUAD:
Ase Boas (vice-capt) (PNG Hunters); David Mead (Brisbane); Enock Maki (Hunters); Garry Lo (Sheffield Eagles); James Segeyaro (Cronulla); Justin Olam (Melbourne); Kato Ottio; Kurt Baptiste (both Canberra); Lachlan Lam (Sydney Roosters); Luke Page (Burleigh Bears); Moses Meninga (Hunters); Nene MacDonald (St George Illawarra); Nixon Put (Hunters); Paul Aiton (Catalan Dragons); Rhys Martin; Rod Griffin (Canterbury); Stanton Albert; Stargroth Amean (both Hunters) Thompson Teteh (Redcliffe Dolphins); Wartovo Puara Jnr; Wellington Albert; Watson Boas; Willie Minoga (all Hunters)
Source: AAP
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