PNG Kumuls co-captain Ase Boas under injury cloud

PNG Hunters  and Kumuls five-eight  Ase Boas World Cup dream could be over depending on scan to determine the extent of injury to his knee.

Ase was forced to come out early in the second game against Australia so that he could go for scans.

Kumuls coach Michael Marum told the media on arrival Monday that the vice-captain has a knee injury which strikes some bad news for the team.

Marum said that Ase had a sore knee heading into the Pacific Tri series which apparently became serious.

Ase was seen walking out of the terminal ahead of the rest of the team. Marum said Ase had left early so that he could go for scans to determine the extent of the injury.

Marum is hoping the extent of Ase’s injury is not so severe.

“Ase didn’t play the second game against Australia. He had a knee injury and he came out early with the doctor on standby so he could go for scans. Depending on the scans, we are hoping it is good news for us (that the extent of injury is not so severe),” Marum said.

He added that in the event a player is ruled out of the competition they will bring in replacements.
However, Marum said they are keeping positive about the issue.

He also said Nene McDonald has a sore knee from the test match but it is a minor injury at this stage.
He said despite that Lachlan Lam was superb at the five-eighth role. He was impressive with his game after Ase was sidelined.

“Lachlan played well 10 minutes into the first half against Fiji and played the whole half against the Aussies and was outstanding in the 40 minutes.”

There were positive comments from Mal Meninga and his father Adrian on his game.

He will return to training so that he could familiarise himself with Watson, Ase and the rest of the boys.

“We had Rhys Martin try out the conversions but was unlucky. He kicks for the Bulldogs but didn’t kick any goals for the Kumuls. He will be practising plus there are a few other boys who can kick as well,” Marum said.

Meanwhile, the PNG Kumuls coach Michael Marum is impressed with the performance of the team in the Pacific Tri-Series on Saturday.

He said the trial served its purpose and the team will rest for three days before they all convene on Thursday to train for the World Cup.

He added that they moved players around to see possible combinations and a solid starting team against the Wales on October 28.

“Both games against Fiji and Australia were really good. We now basically have a fair idea which players will be starting for game one next weekend.

“We were mainly looking at combinations; really good effort by the team.

“We had a chance to trial out players in various positions. Some boys played two to three positions, Australia stuck with 18 players while Fiji had 21 players,” Marum said.

He was impressed with the team’s performance but says they still need to work on improving their defence on the field.

“I was really impressed with our defence. We defended well against the Kangaroos but we had a couple of back to back sets but didn’t capitalise on them.

“We still need a lot more work to do. They scored two quick tries in the edges but it is understandable trialing centres and wingers,” Marum said.
SOURCE: POTS COURIER/PACNEWS