PNG Kumuls PM's XIII Team feeling confident

TWO years after joining the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League Mal Meninga is at the helm of a national team for the first time this Sunday.

Meninga, who was appointed the director of Team Kumul programme earlier in the year, will get to see how much progress has been made.

The annual Prime Ministers XIII challenge between Australia and PNG will provide the perfect litmus test for the programme’s success.

Meninga, 54, was impressed with the PNG PM’s XIII training and look after arriving in the East New Britain capital on Monday. 

An almost buoyant Meninga told reporters there were a lot of improvements that had taken place in the players’ fitness levels and training regime.

The PNGRFL has drawn the line with its selection of the entire Hunters team to take on a formidable Australian side.

And this was not lost on captain Israel Eliab, who said he was confident the experience most of his teammates in this year’s Queensland Cup would put his side in good stead for the ultimate test on Sunday.

The showdown between PNG and Australia is expected to draw a sell-out crowd to Kalabond Oval with fans excited at the prospect of seeing the best National Rugby League talent take on the best local talent in the fixture.

“Considering most of us are from the Hunters I think this is an advantage we didn’t have in the past,” Eliab said yesterday in Kokopo.

“We’re used to playing Australians on a regular basis now and this match should anticipated well.”

PNG Today/The National