PNG names squad for 2014 Queensland Cup

Players training at Bomana Police College. Image Source. B Tassell

KUMUL Francis Paniu is a glaring omission from Michael Marum’s 25-man Queensland Cup squad.

The Agmark Gurias star who has signed up with English Super League club Hull Kingston Rovers with fellow Kumul teammate Enoch Maki, was dropped for disciplinary reasons while in training camp at the Bomana Police College.

Coach Marum yesterday confirmed the demise of his talented prodigy who was penalised for breaking camp rules.

“We have to set high standards if we want to go to the next level and players who cannot maintain self discipline will be shown the door,” he said.

Marum, who was also Paniu’s coach at the Digicel Cup level this year, said it was unfortunate that one of his own players had to be dropped and sent  home to Kokopo but discipline was vital at this early stage.

“If the management didn’t make an example of the issue it would not have been good for team morale. We must be seen to be disciplined on and off the field,” Marum added.

In regards to final squad named, Marum said he is happy with the wealth of experience that includes seven World Cup players and a cream of Digicel Cup talent from the Port Moresby Vipers, Lae Tigers, Goroka Lahanis, Enga Mioks and the Gurias of Kokopo.

The seven World Cup players are props Enoch Maki, Mark Mexico and Joe Bruno, second-row/lock Sebastian Pandia, five-eighth Israel Eliab, Penrith Panthers bound wing/second-row Wellington Albert and wiry half-back Roger Laka. Despite showing exceptional form this year, Laka was not used in the World Cup. 

Marum said the inclusion of two players from the national zones championships in 102kg second-row Brandy Peter based in Lae and 20 year-old utility back Edward Goma who represented the New Guinea Islands, are promising talent that will grow with this level of competition.

The naming of Gulf Isapea rake Lawrence Tu’u is also a first for the Kerema franchise, Kumul second-row David Loko and overlooked props Essau Siune and Gonzela Urakusie get a chance to prove their worth and Port Moresby Vipers’ Timothy Lomai adds some size to the pack. The team for Q-Cup are: 

1.Adex Wera

2.Albert Patak

3. Adam Korave,

4 Brandy Peter

5. David Loko

6.Edward Goma

7.Enoch Maki

8 Essau Siune

9.Gary Lo

10. George Benson

11.Gonzela Urakusie, 

12. Israel Eliab, 

13 Joe Bruno

14 Lawrence Tu’u,

15 Mark Mexico,

16 Noel Joel

17 Noel Zemming

18 Roger Laka

19 Sebastian Pandia

20Thompson Teteh

21 Tiger Emery

22 Timothy Lomai

23 Wartovo Puara Jnr

24, Wellington Albert, 

25 Willie Minoga.