With the 2017 RLWC around the corner, I will try to project what the teams will look like next year.
Today I will cover Papua New Guinea, the only country in where rugby league is the national sport. Papua New Guinea can field their strongest team ever to date next year.
The introduction of the Papua New Guinea Hunters into the Queensland Cup has really helped the development of local players, as a number of them make the team.
1. Ben Barba
2. Alex Johnston
3. Kato Ottio
4. Nene MacDonald
5. David Mead
6. Watson Boas
7. Ray Thompson
8. Luke Paige
9. James Segearyo
10. Henry Wan
11. Rod Griffin
12. Wellington Albert
13. Willie Minogoa
14. Kurt Baptise
15. Henry Nokoi
16. Rhys Martin
17. Adam Korave
The obvious weakness is in the forwards with only Luke Paige playing any NRL games, however the backline is very dangerous.
Barba, Johnston and Mead provide pace and great try-scoring ability while Ottio might be the best player not to play NRL.
The halves are led by the experienced Ray Thompson and Watson Boas brings plenty of energy to the side. Former Panther and Cowboy James Segeyaro has been at the top of his game for years and will steer the team around the park. He will be a threat from dummy half.
While the team may lack some quality, they lack no enthusiasm – a key ingredient for international success.
Joel Sefo
Guest
I agree with the team in part. However, Ben Barba may not be fond of playing for Kumuls thus I woul;d have David mead at Fullback and Bland Abavu to take Davids place. As with the halfback Ase Boas, the elder brother who is adept at kicking goals and scoring tries to take Watson Boas place. As for the forwads they can be left unchanged.
Beno Gull
Guest
Totally agree!! Barba hasn't say anything about playing for the KUMULS, why making predictions to discourage players who has the heart for PNG. Believe JUSTIN OLAM has the potential to make a better substitution. OLAM FOR PNG KUMULS....
Max Kasoni
Guest
The previous kumuls prediction side for WCRL should be change to include Wartson Boas,Stagrowth Amean,James Segeyaro & nickson Putt.
Max Kasoni
Guest
Satisfactory prediction side for PNG Kumuls-2017 WCRL
Magani
Guest
1. David Mead 2. Alex Johnston 3. Nene Macdonald 4. Kato Ottio 5. Justin Olam 6. Israel Eliab 7. Ase Boas 8. Henry Wan 9. Wartovo Puara 10. Rhys Martin 11. Rod Griffin 12. Luke Page 13. Adam Korave 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Willie Minoga 16. Dion Aiye 17. Timothy Lomai 18. Mark Mexico Extended trian on members 19. Ray Thompson 20. Stanton Albert 21. Wellington Albert
Kande Kulung
Guest
Very interesting to see the selection criteria used for the make up of the 2017 Kumuls squad. After the dismal performance in the 2008 world cup, this tournament is very important. We're slowly dropping further down the rankings, with tier 2 and 3 European teams, plus the likes of Canada & USA playing regular test matches and climbing up much faster. The PMs XIII though has social importance, does not have any effect on rankings. The Kumuls need to be playing more test matches, the only way we can keep a core group of rep players together, and have them play regularly, in addition they need to be looked after properly as well. Our team keeps changing year in, year out and there is no consistency.
Hickson Abraham
Guest
Garry Lo and Mark Mexico should be included. And also Stanton Albert and Brandy Peter as well. This guys will make any impact, thou we can defeat Australia and New Zealand, if our selection side is perfect
Mikail-Eagle
Guest
Isreal Eliab is coming back home to the PNG Hunters next year.
Mikail-Eagle
Guest
According to the PNGRFL CEO Kumul Players will only be picked from NRL, Super League , QCup & NSW Cup. So that immediately rules out Menzie Yere, Gary Lo, Mark Mexico, Dion Aiye, Jesse Joe Parker, Jason Tali, Kuni Minga etc who are all playing in the English Championship and Championship 1. Isreal Eliab has left London Broncos and is back in PNG as of last week. I here that he will be back with the PNG Hunters for 2017 to put himself back in calculations for the Kumuls World Cup Team. Segeyaro on the other hand had a fall out with the previous PNGRFL CEO who resigned in early 2015. I believe that the new current PNGRFL CEO in Bob Cuttmore has mended bridges with Segeyaro and he will be available for the Kumuls.
Mikail-Eagle
Guest
His younger brother is better player.
Zues
Guest
What about the following guys performing extremely well over in England? Menzie Yere, Gary Lo, Mark Mexico (Sheffield Eagles), Dion Aiye, Jessie Joe Parker (Whitehave) Jason Tali (Doncaster) Kuni Minga (Toulouse Olympique), Israel Eliab (London Broncos), Paul Aiton (Leeds Rhinos) Barba?? ?? James Segeyaro and Alex Johnston, didn't want to play for PNG..so they couldn't make it into the Kangaroo team so they are putting their hands up again???
Derek Webber
Guest
Id have Mosby and eliab in the mix. Mark mexico dion aiye lomai beandyin there. Halves without a dought Thompson and Izzy. Finally we have deprh growing and finally we folliw trend of samoa tonga fiji who get their players at higher tier comps. Now Png need to make the national sport to acout all regions not just 1 or 2 that dominate the sport. Exciting times very proud of our homeland.
Lui
Guest
Watson is a little bit out of form, his brother Ase plays really well in the halves so he should partner Ray Thompson while Justin olam come at the wing forcing Ottio to the forward pack as we need his height and size. Barba and Alex Jonson inclusion will be really great for PNG Kumuls!! However, Garry Lo and Israel Eliab are also playing good football over at England so its up to the coach to decide. Go PNG Kumuls in 2017 RLWC
Mikail-Eagle
Guest
Wellington Albert's younger brother Stanton Albert is alot more talented at prop forward.
Mikail-Eagle
Guest
There is 1 player in the above list mentioned twice....Henry Wan and Henry Nokoi is the same person.
Fred
Guest
A lot of good PNG talent is floating around in the UK
timtam
Guest
Justin Olam from PNG Hunters is off to Melbourne Storm next year.
Rabbits
Guest
Barba would be a great inclusion for the Kumuls at the World Cup. COme on Benny.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Riley Agree 100% with Olam.
Correct sometimes
Guest
I think Wellington Albert should be effective if it rains hard and the field gets muddy