By CHARLIE DUMAVI
IT is disappointing to the PNG Kumuls as their star wingers Edene Gebbie and Xavier Coats have been ruled out of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup due to injury and are leaving the camp earlier than expected.
Gebbie succumbed to a complex groin and pelvis injury, ruling him out of the tournament. While Melbourne Storm winger from Gulf Province Xavier Coats suffered a non-contact hamstring injury during training.
The examination results proves that the two will not be able to recover in time to take part in the competition and that they will have to be realised back to their respective clubs and prepare for their 2023 club seasons.
Kumuls head coach Stanley Tepend confirmed this yesterday in a zoom conference with the local media stating that the replacement of the two is yet to be decided.
He said Jimmy Ngutlik is one of the players that is possibly going to make his debut for the Kumuls against Cook Islands.
“It’s unfortunate to have players ruled out,” Tepend said.
He said after the defeat to Tonga “few boys picked up (minor) injuries and a lot of negativities. We need to clean up.”
Tepend also added that despite the blow to the team they are focused and will retain the spine against Cook Island in their must win match in the tournament.
He said they have reviewed their game against Tonga and have also gone through some videos to see how the Cook Islands play and are polishing up to take the win.
Tepend further expressed satisfaction on the team management behind Kumuls and the leadership shown by senior players in the club to keep the team spirit up after the controversial defeat to Tonga.
Despite the loss, when players Johnston and Martin were interviewed after the game, they spoke with high hopes and had already looked past the Tonga game with bigger aspirations for the Kumuls.
Captain Rhyse Martin shunned comments on his individual achievement of equalling the world record for most consecutive conversions to instead praise his team on their efforts.
“Well, that’s an individual achievement. Right now, I couldn’t be prouder of my teammates and the way we showed up and played tonight,” Martin said.
Moreover, Alex Johnston in the post-match press conference stated that: “To lose on the bell basically, it was heartbreaking. I think we’ve just shown that (we can compete with the best) in those 80 minutes. To not get the win tonight comes down to a few little things during that game. It’s a tough pill to swallow. I’ve been a part of some great wins. But even in this loss, we came here on a mission to show that the Kumuls are rising. Even in this loss, we definitely showed that,” he said.
