Lam likely to be part of the Kumuls

IT’S official Mal Meninga is the Team Kumul rugby league coach.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) board chairman Sandis Tsaka yesterday confirmed this during a press conference that Meninga has replaced Adrian Lam.
Tsaka added that contrary to media reports Lam like all Team Kumul management were on one-year contracts that expired on December 31. 
This dispelled speculation that Lam was on a lucrative five-year contract. 
That means all Team Kumul staff before and during the World Cup including general manager Matthew Natusch, team manager Bob Cutmore, assistant coach Michael Marum, trainers Nigel Hukula, Solomon Kulinasi, high performance manager Neil Dunkley and video analyst Brendon Lam all had their services terminated.
When questioned on Lam’s sacking, Tsaka made reference to earlier unsanctioned reports which were not entirely true.
“I must point out that it is important to get the right information. It is a natural progression like all 2013 Team Kumul management to have their contracts terminated,” Tsaka said.
He explained that because Meninga  was the only person working on the programme, and both Lam and Dunkley’s contractual obligations extend to January 31, that was why both were helping Meninga and are still on the payroll.
“By the end of this month they will all go off the pay-roll and all positions will be advertised including 15 development officers to be based around the country,” Tsaka added.
“These development officers will assist Mal (Meninga) roll out the four-year programme,” he said.
“Everybody that went to the World Cup are no longer on contract and will be given opportunity to re-apply for those positions again when it is advertised in two weeks time,” Tsaka said.
He further clarified that with the re-structure, as per Meninga’s ‘Team Kumul Rugby League Development Plan 2014-2017’ it has called for two high-performance developments positions, which is why both Lam and Dunkley have been included on the PNGRFL rugby programme development structure.
With Meninga being appointed the new coach, his services was the only one spared. Meninga also did the Team Kumul review and general development for 2013, plus the Team Kumul Rugby Development Plan 2014-2017, which he presented yesterday.

The National