Kumuls Coach Stanley Tepend has named his 24-man squad to travel to the United Kingdom this Friday ahead of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
The 24-man squad has 7 players from the 2017 World Cup, who will add the needed experience when PNG takes on Tonga, who is currently ranked 2nd in the Rugby League World.
Coach Tepend says confidence is high heading into the World Cup because of the in-form players they have on the roster.
Alex Johnston is a certain start at fullback with high-flying Xavier Coats and speed man Jimmy Ngutlik on the wings. The centre pairing of Justin Olam and Nene McDonald will be a strike weapon for the Kumuls.
Following the success of the Pacific Test, Coach Tepend will likely stick to Lachlan Lam and Kyle Laybutt to steer the attack with Watson Boas as the backup. Edwin Ipape and Wesser Tenza will share the dummy-half duties while Dan Russel, Nixon Putt, McKenzie Yei and Wellington Albert to lead the forward pack.
With the Australian-based players arriving last Saturday in Port Moresby, the team will link up with the UK-based players before their opening pool match on the 19th.
Rhyse Martin is likely to be named Captain.
The 24-Man PNG Kumuls Squad;
Wellington Albert (London Broncos)
Jacob Alick (Gold Coast Titans)
Kevin Appo (PNG Hunters)
Watson Boas (Doncaster)
Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)
Edene Gebbie (Townsville Blackhawks)
Edwin Ipape (Leigh Centurions)
Zev John (CQ Capras)
Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Lachlan Lam (Leigh Centurions)
Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks)
Nene McDonald (Leigh Centurions)
Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos)
Sylvester Namo (PNG Hunters)
Jimmy Ngutlik (Western Suburbs Magpies)
Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm)
Nixon Putt (CQ Capras)
Daniel Russel (Brisbane Tigers)
Jeremiah Simbiken (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Rodrick Tai (PNG Hunters)
Sherwin Tanabi (PNG Hunters)
Wesser Tenza (PNG Hunters)
Emmanuel Waine (PNG Hunters)
McKenzie Yei (CQ Capras)
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