PAPUA New Guinea representative coaches Joey Grima and Solomon Kuluniasi have named their representative sides maintaining their roles, selecting their squads for the upcoming Prime Minister’s XIII challenges against the Australian school boys’ and school girls’ sides.
Both the Prime Minister’s XIII Junior Kumuls’ and Junior Orchids’ squads have assembled in Port Moresby in the lead-up to the international matches taking place at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, this coming Sunday 13th October.
Grima said last year’s narrow defeat to the Australian school boys demonstrates the talent pool here in Papua New Guinea. This year it’s an opportunity to see how the junior male players grow and learn from that experience.
“The staff and I are so proud of the journey for these young men of PNG. The national pride these young men have wearing a junior kumuls’ jersey from all regions from Papua New Guinea and East coast of Australia is refreshing.”
“Some of our players selected have never left their village or town and now they have an opportunity to travel to the nation’s capital and train in a world-class gym and faculty with the best available PNG players available.”
“These players deserve this opportunity to play against the number one nation of rugby league. I’m excited for what Sunday will deliver and incredibly excited for my playing group and staff,” Grima said.
Meanwhile Kuluniasi expressed that camp was progressing well for the female juniors’ team.
“The girls are connecting and getting better. A few bumps and bruises but they’ll get over it come weekend’s game. The staff are doing a great job also. A good culture is happening.”
“This is a great opportunity for our young girls to come together – they are excited and looking forward to Sunday,” Kuluniasi added.
PNG PRIME MINISTER’S JUNIOR SQUADS
PNG Prime Minister’s XIII Junior Kumuls squad (first name alphabetical order)
• Alton Nayep
• Bradley Orosambo
• Cedrick Kuli
• Emmanuel Balio
• Emmanuel Tembon
• Errol Gialom
• Fabian Kari
• Finley Muno
• Gairo Voro – captain
• Gregan Format
• Hercules Kondo
• Ishmael Vaieke
• Jared Horne
• Joseph Kora
• Otto Thomas
• Phillip Coates
• Smith Pamundi
• Vanie Manuma
PNG Prime Minister’s XIII Junior Orchids squad (first name alphabetical order)
• Becky Kambi
• Benitha Paka
• Deborah Kitipa
• Ennie James
• Gail Manove
• Hadassah Isokali
• Jacinta Gerry
• Josephine Howard
• Joyce Hobert
• Rhonda Joseph
• Ruth Gende
• Ruth Paul
• Samantha Micheal
• Shelina Pota
• Skylyn Sil
• Tasha Storm
• Wendy Josh
Game times are as follows:
9am: PNG Junior Orchids Vs Australian School Girls
11am: PNG Junior Kumuls Vs Australian School Boys
1pm: PM’s XIII Women – PNG Vs Australia
3pm: PM’s XIII Men – PNG Vs Australia
All games will be televised on TVWan (Channel 1).
