Meninga replaces Lam as Kumul Coach

ADRIAN Lam’s services as Kumul coach have been terminated.

His replacement will be Team Kumul coaching director and Queensland State of Origin coach Mal Meninga.

It is envisaged that other members of the Kumul staff may face the same fate as the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) board looks to take stock of the World Cup performance and the public perception that has stemmed from it.

The Kumuls lost all matches in a repeat performance of the previous World Cup, all under Lam’s watch.

That led to anger from the rugby league fraternity and drew public reaction, with a majority of people calling for Lam’s sacking. It even led to an attack on Lam while he was at a nightclub in Port Moresby only weeks after the World Cup. A source from the PNGRFL confirmed that the board made the decision in its last meeting of the year on Thursday in Port Moresby.

Lam’s removal could be a move by the PNGRFL board to protect the Kumuls image and the result of the negative press Lam has attracted since November.  

Meninga, who was in Port Moresby last week to present his review of the World Cup and the build up maintained his commitment towards Team Kumul’s cause and the five-year programme that both he and Lam were in charge off. It is understood Meninga was approached with the offer while he was here. However nothing official has been confirmed. When contacted to confirm the information, PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said he was not in a position to confirm or deny the board’s decision.

PNG Today / The National