UK Based PNG Kumuls players join Camp

THE Papua New Guinea Kumuls camp welcomed the rest of its United Kingdom-based players this week with Rhyse Martin, Edwin Ipape, Wellington Albert, McKenzie Yei and Keven Appo joining the squad.
The five were in training with the team yesterday and are likely to figure in coach Justin Holbrook’s team which will be announced today to take on the Fiji Bati on Sunday.
After the Kumuls 46-10 win over the Cook Islands in week one of the Pacific Championships a fortnight ago, Holbrook will have to decide on who makes the match-day 17 and who has to sit out the fixture against the Bati.
Kumuls 2022 Rugby League World Cup skipper and Leeds Rhinos forward Martin told the media yesterday that he was grateful and excited to be able to play for PNG.

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“Watching the two games (PMs 13 and Cook Islands match) the boys have done a great job so I’m very excited to get back here and represent the Kumuls,” the former Canterbury Bulldogs back-rower said.
“I think its exciting times for the Kumuls.
“The team at the moment is exciting and I think it’s just going to keep going that way over the next couple of years.
“I’m just glad to be able to make the team now. I’ve been playing since 2014 and there’s been a huge change.
“Looking back at 2014, I was the only overseas player to join the squad but now we got a lot of quality players.
“It’s always an honour, very proud moment for me every time I get to wear the jersey so I look forward to it more than anything regardless of who we’re playing.”
He said the Kumuls were focused on getting the job done this weekend.
“Playing Fiji, we’ve built that rivalry with them,” Martin said.
“A respectful rivalry where everyone is competing at their best and it’s always an exciting game.
“It’s been a while (to play Fiji) for me personally so I can’t wait. With the team that we got, we just have to focus on us. Keep performing the way we have been and keep building confidence in every opportunity we get.”

TheNational/PNG Kumuls

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