LAM LOSES JOB TO MENINGA

Andrian Lam                                Mal Meninga 

Newly appointed Chairman of the PNGRFL and former Deputy Chairman Sandis Tsaka said in 2013 the programme is targeted to prepare the PNG Kumuls Team to participate and compete at the World Cup in England.

Mr. Tsaka says while results for the Kumuls was quite disappointing, it was a reality check and a honest reflection of the standard of the game in PNG, compared to other rugby league playing nations.

He says the new PNGRFL leadership is determined to improve the game's standard, so PNG can be competitive on the world stage.

He said, to do this, the PNGRFL is in consultation with key stake-holders including the affiliate leagues, corporate sponsors and the government to review Team Kumul structure.

In a PNGRFL board meeting this week, approved recommendations for the restructure of the Team Kumuls programme, have been set for the next four years. 

Mr. Tsaka says, the key difference between the old Team Kumul and the new Team Kumul structure is that the old structure was directed at preparing the Kumuls for the World Cup only, whilst the new Team Kumul structure is a whole of rugby league approach, to improve the standard of the game in PNG. 

Under this review and structure, all technical officials and management engaged under the old Kumuls programme, have had their contracts terminated by the PNGRFL Board. 

This also includes the termination of Mr Adrian Lam as Kumuls coach. 

Lam now is being replaced by Mal Meninga as the new Kumuls coach.