By CHARLIE DUMAVI
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls head coach Justine Holbrook is happy with the big 46-10 win in their yesterday’s Pacific Championship opener match against Cook Islands in Port Moresby.
Kumuls took an early lead of 30 – 0 at halftime, however, they winded down too early in the final quarter of the match.
Coach Holbrook took this into consideration but said he is “really happy.”
“We had a big lead and we obviously wanted to keep maintaining that into the second half.
“Our boys were good enough to get a good win and all in all I’m really happy because some of the boys haven’t played for quite a few weeks,” he said.
“We know that we are going to be better.
“The guys have not played in quite a number of weeks and it’s a bit like a first game of the year.
“When you play trial game in round one, you never play as you like to be.
“We will definitely work hard to make sure we can finish off the game better in both attack and defence.”
Holbrook who also made his debut for PNG Kumuls as a coach fielded a total of six debutants who put on a valiant effort in the likes of hard running forwards; Junior Rop, Benji Kot, Jack De Belin, Valentine Richard and Judah Rimbu and Zac Laybutt.
“We had six debutants and to come out with such a dominant win, everyone is happy,” he said.
Despite missing some of PNG players like Justine Olam and Edwin Ipape, Holbrook said the boys stepped up and got the win.
Kumuls Captain Kyle Labutt who scooped a minor head injury also expressed his satisfaction with the team saying the more they keep playing they will get better.
“We just know where our job is going to be now.
“So, the more we keep playing, we build up, but I am really happy with the way we are going,” he said.
PNG Kumuls will take this weekend off and will take on the visiting Fijians on October 29, 2023 at National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Picture Caption: PNG Kumuls in celebration after trashing Cook Islands with 46-10 win in yesterday’s Pacific Championship opener match. – NRL picture
