Kumuls Coach Stanley Tepend has cleared the air on rejected Kumuls Hooker James Segeyaro saying the reason for him missing out on selection was based on the current form of players that can cover the hooker and utility position in the 24-man squad.
Tepend said it is important for the Kumuls to build a winning combination from the Pacific Test and it was important to pick the best team for the World Cup.
“We can only pick limited players in certain positions,”
“As a team, I think we’ve picked the best that we can considering the factors, injuries and all those sorts of stuff,” Tepend said.
A dejected Segeyaro took to social media last week after Tepend told him he would not be part of the Kumuls World Cup campaign.
“I felt like I had done enough to make the side. Fighting back into an NRL system, being fortunate enough to play for Manly this year alongside some of the best in the game and spend the full season playing my heart out for Blackdown,” Segeyaro said in an Instagram post.
PNG fans also took to social media, calling on the PNGRFL to reconsider the decision on Segeyaro saying his experience is what the Kumuls need for the tournament.
This is not the first controversial selection case for Segeyaro. In 2015, Segeyaro said in a TV interview that he would never play for the Kumuls again after he claimed his father, the late Iffysoe Segeyaro was not given the respect he deserved from PNG Rugby League.
However, he would make amends and won back the support from PNG when he starred in the 2017 World Cup. Since then, off-field incidents have kept him out of the NRL until this year when he was called in to play for Manly in Round 20.
Coach Tepend says there will always be respect for James Segeyaro and what he has done for the Kumuls jersey, adding Segeyaro will be considered for future representative duties.
“We haven’t closed the door on James for future games,”
“We respect him and what he’s done for Kumuls in the past,” Tepend said.
Meanwhile, Betfred Champions Player of the Year, Edwin Ipape, is expected to wear the number 9 jersey when the Kumuls take on 2nd placed Tonga on the 19th.
Ipape finished off a wonderful season, helping his team to a victory in the Betfred Champions Grand-Final and securing a spot in the Super League.
Hunters Hooker Wesser Tenza on the other hand has been consistent in the Hostplus Cup for the PNG Hunters, however, Watson Boas will most likely fill the utility role.
“It sucks, I’m disappointed – gutted actually. But I’m still going to be cheering for the boys from home nonetheless,” Segeyaro said.
