PNG KUMULS CAN HANDLE TONGA WHEN RUNNING AGAINST A WORLD CLASS TONGAN PACK IN THE OPENING OF THE RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP MATCH

PNG KUMULS CAN HANDLE TONGA WHEN RUNNING AGAINST A WORLD CLASS TONGAN PACK IN THE OPENING OF THE RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP MATCH

KUMULS CAN HANDLE TONGA

The National Sports - October 17, 2022

By PARKER TAMBUA

PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls coach Stanley Tepend says his side can contain a Tongan forward pack full of National Rugby League (NRL) talent if they stick to the basics.

Tepend, who said this two days out from the opening clash in Group D (Wednesday, 4.30am/ PNG time) between the heavily favoured Mate Ma’a Tonga and the PNG LNG Kumuls at Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens, named a side with London Broncos prop Wellington Albert and SP Hunters’ Sylvester Namo bookending the front-row with livewire Edwin Ipape of the Leigh Centurions in the No.9 jersey.

Reliable performers Nixon Putt and captain and Leeds Rhinos and goal-kicking ace Rhyse Martin are in the back-row with rangy Burleigh Bears forward Jacob Alick at lock.

Tepend said his men would employ a similar strategy used in the Pacific test this year against Fiji who had a larger pack with several NRL players.

“Tonga have a world class pack but for us we just have to stick to the basics and get the simple things right,” Tepend said.

“We just have to get into an arm-wrestle and get our kicks right at the end of every set that will good for us.

“If we can try to, sort of get into a dogfight and not giving away easy field position and possession then I believe we can turn their big boys around and make them tired.”

The Kumuls will be up against a world class Tongan pack led by middle forwards Tevita Tatola, Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Addin Fonua-Blake (New Zealand Warriors), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters) and back-rowers David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans), Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm), Ben Murdoch-Masila (NZ Warriors), Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla Sharks), Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles) and North Queensland Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo.

Tepend has picked a bench comprising McKenzie Yei, Dan Russell, Emmanuel Waine and Watson Boas that provides hard-running threats and defensive ability as well as cover for the halves and at hooker.

He said his side were primarily focused on their performance but aware of the opposition.

“We have our strategy in place but our boys are focusing on their own games,” he said.

“It’s similar to the Pacific Test where Fiji had all the NRL forwards but we won.

“We just have to have that belief, trust the players we have picked and rise up together when we face the challenge.

“We have similar players that are just as good and I know that they will perform well against the Tongans.”

Tepend said the NRL players Justin Olam, Xavier Coates, Alex Johnston and UK-based players Nene Macdonald, Lachlan Lam, Ipape and Martin would bring leadership, intensity and class to the Kumuls game.

PNG LNG Kumuls: 1. Alex Johnston, 20. Rodrick Tai, 3. Nene Macdonald, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Kyle Laybutt, 7. Lachlan Lam, 8. Wellington Albert, 9. Edwin Ipape, 10. Sylvester Namo, 11. Nixon Putt, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Jacob Alick; Inter-change: 23. Watson Boas, 15. Dan Russell, 16. McKenzie Yei, 17. Emmanuel Waine, 18. Keven Appo.

Picture by PNG Kumuls FB Page.