Most Papua New Guineans are critical about the national rugby league team, the PNG LNG Kumuls, and there has been a lot of talk about the current lineup of the Kumuls, but Coach Stanley Tepend is sticking to his side.
“Papua New Guineans can be very critical but I guess that’s because we are passionate and love the game. They have every right to voice out there thoughts. But I believe we have picked the right team for this test,” Tepend said.
PNG LNG Kumuls Coach, Stanley Tepend.
Tepend in a correspondence with Inside PNG says there is no doubting the player’s loyalty to Papua New Guinea, representative football is a different ball game and the team is ready to put on the Kumuls jumper, even despite a slump in form for the SP PNG Hunters, Tepend says all the players chosen for the squad earned their spot.
“The players picked love the Kumuls and PNG and I am sure they won’t disappoint. We know what it means to us and the boys believe in them themselves. It’s been tough for the Hunters but I believe the players picked have performed well to earn their call up,” Tepend said.
The Fiji Bati side look good on paper and are favorites heading into the test match on Saturday, but the Kumuls have a prolific backline, enter Justin Olam, the “human brick” has been the talk of the NRL with superb defense and attacking attributes, making him a prolific center, Alex Johnston is by far the best finisher of the NRL in recent years, he has the all time try scoring record for the Rabbithos, he is a two time leading try scorer in the NRL over the past two seasons and David Mead at full back, expect him to launch into the Fijian defense after a kick return, the key is with the spine of Russel, Lam, Puara and Mead, experienced campaigners, they should make it an easy finish for Juzzy and Johno to finish across the white line.
Coach Tepend believes the blend of players in the team can cause an upset against Melanesian rivals Fiji Bati.
“It’s the best team we picked with who is available for us. Kyle Laybutt, Justin Olam, Lacklan Lam, Dan Russel and Nixon Putt have all played before. Alex Johnson & David Mead who is Captain both have played at high levels their whole careers so there is a good balance of experience in this team,” Tepend said.
At age 33 Captain David Mead is set to retire from representative footy, and is arguably the most capped player in the squad and perhaps the oldest in the team, his main reason for retirement is to make way for the young crop of players inline for the Kumuls jumper, the youngest squad member is Robert Darby at age 20.
For Tepend this is his moment, a standout Coach at National level and working under Michael Marum, Tepend knows what it takes to win at international level, a short week for the team but the Coaching staff behind Tepend have been the backbone of the Kumuls hard work behind the scenes.
“It’s more an opportunity for me to coach at this level and manage the week so players are ready to perform to their best come Saturday. I have a good staff around the team which is always important and is the key in any team environment,” Tepend said
