PNG Kumuls origin to be revived

PNG Orin Player Menzie dives for a try: Image credit: Chris Thompson

By KEVIN TEME/Post Courier 

The PNG Origin will be revived to select the best players to the World Cup in England this year.

The PNG Origin is a match played between the PNG Resident and PNG Internationals comprising those who play overseas.

PNGNRFL interim Chairman Don Fox said the origin match was a fantastic idea which will give the national selectors a wider pool to select players from.

Fox said the date of the Origin match has not yet been confirmed but it will be held prior to the World Cup.

“We want the best possible Kumuls team, so definitely we will have an Origin match played between the locals and international players to select the best team,” Fox said. 

PNG Resident head coach Adrian Lam said: “We will be announcing some major things in the near future regarding the preparations towards the 2013 World Cup.”

Lam confirmed some of the overseas players he would be looking at are; James Segeyaro (Penrith, Neville Costigan (Newcastle), David Mead (Titans), Joe Bond (Broncos), Reece Martin (Roosters), Nini McDonald (Roosters), Tyson Martin (North Qld Cowboys), Rod Griffin (Gold Coast), Menzie Yere (Sheffield Eagles UK), Jesse Joe Parker (Whitehaven UK), Paul Aiton (Wakefield) and other players not mentioned are like Keith Peters (Sydney), Joe Pombo (New Zealand) and Benjamin John (Sydney).

Lam also confirmed players that were scouted by NRL clubs were Mark Mexico (Redcliffe Dolphins/Broncos), David Loko (Penrith), Esau Siune (Melbourne), Larsen Marabe (Penrith), Dion Aiye (Newcastle) Israel Eliab (Newcastle), Josiah Abavu (Newcastle/Penrith)