The Papua New Guinea Kumuls coach Stanley Tepend  has announced his team lineup to face Wales in the final round of the Rugby World Cup. ​

​PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls flyers Edene Gebbie and Xavier Coates have been ruled for the remainder of the Rugby League World Cup due to injury, with coach Stanley Tepend calling it “devastating” news.
“To have a players go down in any squad is devastating news for any coach,” he said.
“Having received the results from the MRI scans, a decision has been made that is in the best interest of the injured players, that they return home to start their rehabilitation.

The Papua New Guinea Kumuls team have arrived in the United Kingdom. The Rugby League World kicks off this weekend with the opening watches that will see England taking on Samoa and Australia plays Fiji on Saturday 15th, October, 2022.
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The Papua Guinea ​Kumuls squad pay their respects to the late great Kato Ben Otto #269. 
Mrs Ottio welcomed the team into her home and addressed them before their departure to the World Cup.

THE Papua New Guinea Kumuls camp in Port Moresby aims to establish a strong connection between the players, local fans and the country before the Rugby League World Cup, coach Stanley Tepend says.
“The players needed to feel a sense of ownership of the team. It’s important that they see the country is behind them, and to be seen off by our fans in person means that when they play, they can relate directly to it,” Tepend said.
He said some players in his 24-man squad have not visited the country for a number of years.

NATIONAL Rugby League’s prolific try scorer and South Sydney Rabbitohs flyer Alex Johnston, along with Melbourne Storm duo Justin Olam and Xavier Coates, will spearhead the Kumuls backline in the upcoming Rugby League World Cup
campaign in England.
Johnston arrived in Port Moresby on Monday afternoon to join the Kumuls camp, a few hours after Kumuls coach Stanley Tepend officially named his 24-man squad for the World Cup campaign from Oct 15-Nov 19 in England.
The Kumul No.294 was named at fullback and is one of only three players with NRL experience, along with Storm powerhouse centre Olam and Queensland State of Origin winger Coates.
The NRL aces are primed to be a threat to other nations in the world cup along with Leigh Centurions trio Nene MacDonald, Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam. Their experience will boost the Kumuls backline.
“Most of the guys picked have played (together) before,” Tepend said.
“I think the important thing is the spine. Johnston, Kyle Laybutt, Coates and Ipape have been in top form. They will naturally lead the team on game days.
“Olam is one of the best centres in the world. So they’ll lead and naturally they should inspire.”
The Rabbitohs winger who qualifies for the Kumuls through a PNG-born grandmother, made his Test debut in 2019 against the Great Britain Lions at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA WORLD CUP SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT
This year's postponed Rugby League World Cup is shaping up as the most competitive in history, with high-profile players littered across the competing nations.
After an impressive win over the Fiji Bati at the Pacific Test and with the Prime Minister's XIII all wrapped up, the dust has now settled, and it's left the Papua New Guinea Kumuls squad announcement with much anticipation. 
Stanley has already mobilised his squad, with the team landing in Port Moresby on Saturday. He spoke on the importance of the camp and the need for the team to be seen off by the country before the players make their World Cup Campaign. 
"The players needed to feel a sense of ownership of the team. It's important that they see the country is behind them, and to be seen off by our fans in person means that when they play, they can relate directly to it," said Stanley.
For some of the players, it will be a long-awaited homecoming.

The Papua New Guinea PM's XIII team went down fight to Australia 64 - 14 at Suncorp Stadium, Australia tonight. 

PNG  scored three tries through ​Edene Gebbie , Jimmy Ngutlik and Brandon Nima. 

PNG Hunters hooker and PNG International Wartovo Puara will lead the Papua New Guinea PM's XIII on Sunday when they take on Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.  Puara is a wealth of experience with seven international appearances to his name, as well as being the most capped PNG Hunter. 
He will be in the middle of everything as the hooker, and Coach Stan will need him to lead the young pack from the back of the ruck. He's a sensible dummy half who knows the game and manages the shifts in momentum better than anyone.

Santos PNG Orchids coach Ben Jeffries confirms his 20-player PNG Prime Minister’s XIII Women’s squad will face the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII Women in this Sunday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
The match will be played with unlimited interchange and all 20 players are expected to feature. Elsie Albert is unavailable for the match, due to NRLW semi-final commitments with St George Illawarra Dragons, but Orchid number 20, Gloria Kaupa, will captain the side.