Date:26/10/13
PNG head coach Adrian Lam has named his 19 man squad to play France at MS3 Craven Park on Sunday (16:00)
Papua New Guinea captain Neville Costigan wants to use Rugby World Cup 2013 to help inspire a new generation of players the sport in PNG, starting with the Kumuls’ opening game against France at Craven Park, Hull, on Sunday (4.00pm).
A large part of the Papuan’s squad will be experiencing their first taste of World Cup Rugby League, and Costigan believes that although their tournament target is ambitious, the experience of international Rugby League will benefit the country in the long run.
“Our target for the tournament is to make the semi-finals,” said Costigan. “We have got a good young squad, with a number of young players coming through, so as well we also have to try and be realistic.
“It is a first World Cup for some of the squad, and they are all locals from PNG. A lot of them are 18, 19 and 20-year-old, so they all have a lot to learn.
“Definitely it is not just about this World Cup, but future ones too. That is the coach’s aim, to develop good, young, intelligent players for the future.
“We want the players to learn from their experience, starting against France, and then, for each World Cup after, to take the team one step further.
” Based in Hull, Costigan believes that his players are now settled in the only city to host three RLWC2013 matches, which has been made easy due to the togetherness of his side.
“It definitely seems to be starting to feel real now,” said Costigan. “We have all come to a different country to play in the World Cup, which is exciting.
“It hasn’t been too bad settling in since we came here last Tuesday. We are a good, tight group of boys so we have helped each other settle down here, which is good.
“We train a fair bit, two times a day most days, but it is not too bad in Hull at all, the boys like it and it is pretty relaxed.”
Tickets for the Papua New Guinea v France Group B RLWC2013 match at Craven Park, Hull, on Sunday October 27 are selling fast and priced from as little as £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. To purchase your ticket, please visit www.rlwc2013.com/tickets or call the 24-hour Ticket Hotline on 0844 847 2013
Kick-off time: 4pm Sunday 27th October (Local Time), Sydney (Australia – New South Wales) Monday, 28 October 2013 at 3:00:00 AM, Brisbane (Australia – Queensland) Monday, 28 October 2013 at 2:00:00 AM, Auckland (New Zealand) Monday, 28 October 2013 at 5:00:00 AM, Toulouse (France) Sunday, 27 October 2013 at 5:00:00 PM, Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea)Monday, 28 October 2013 at 2:00:00 AM
PNG Kumuls side to take on France
Josiah Abavu
Paul Aiton
Dion Aiye
Wellington Albert
Ase Boas
Jason Chan
Neville Costigan (C)
Isreal Eliab
Richard Kambo
Enoch Maki
Larsen Marabe
Bosam Nene McDonald
David Mead
Mark Mexico
Jessie Joe Nandye
Jason Tali
Ray Thompson
Charlie Wabo
Menzie Yere
