By GABRIEL KATUHO
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls are gearing up for the most important match against Cook Islands, for a chance to secure a placing in the Pacific Championship finals against Fiji Bati.
The game to be hosted in Port Moresby on Sunday, will see PNG faced with another important game against Cook Island Auti, after defeating Fiji 22 to 10 in the opening match of the Pacific championship bowl competition in Fiji.
Kumuls Coach Jason Demetriou stressed on the team’s preparedness for the game, noting few improvements that needs to be done ahead of the game.
“I thought over the course of the game we were pretty good but, there was some area that we were little bit luxury in and around the ruck that we want to be good and consistent with that,” Demetriou said.
He stressed on team bonding as it allows the team to connect as well as, building the connection and understanding of the team’s plan.
Demetrious also stressed on pushing the team’s spot up from seventh placing.
“At the moment in my honest opinion that is too low, I think the Kumuls should be chasing top four in the world with the talent that we have, we are more capable of reaching the top four in the world,” he said.
“We can only do that if we play with the top of the countries and this year, the NRL put the promotion game here which gives us the chance to go after it and earn the right to play with the top.
Meanwhile, Lachlan Lam who follows his father footsteps will captain the Kumuls as they take on Cook Islands.
While Rish Martin will miss the game on Sunday, Coach Demetriou has Daniel Russell as the replacement for the lineup.
He said the boys have the job to do this week first. When they get the job done then they can worry about next week.
