Posted By Staff Reporter
By KEVIN TEME/Post Courier Veteran Kumuls prop forward Rodney Pora and three other notable national representative players, Jessie Joe Parker, Larsen Marabe and Gonzilla Urakuse may miss out playing for the PNG Resident side announced yesterday. Though Parker was not named in the side that was officially announced in a press conference at the Ela Beach Hotel by the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League interim board and Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko. This may be due to his playing with English club, Whitehaven. Marabe and Urakuse are also heading for the new season with English clubs. For Marabe and Parker, they were issued their sporting visa by the British High Commission to play in England, according to information posted on it’s website. Pora also confirmed having a contract however, he said visa has always been an obstacle for many aspiring local players and he may not take that offer rather play for his country in this three lead up matches. Pora also revealed yesterday that the 2013 World Cup would be his last representative game before he retires from professional football. Pora, Marabe and Urakuse were named yesterday as part of the 20 men resident side that will be taking part in three different lead up games in Australia before heading to England for the World Cup challenge which kicks off on the 26th of October next year. The squad which was announced yesterday will be known as the PNG Residents train on squad and will go into camp on the 27th of January in Port Moresby. The first match will pit the PNG Resident 13 in the Cabramatta International 9s tournament on the 2nd of February while on the 9th will be the match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the Redfern Oval in Sydney. The national squad announced yesterday is dominated by local players taking part in the Digicel Cup competition. The full team and its management were also announced. Current PNG Prime Minister’s XIII head coach Adrian Lam is the coach while Michael Marum of Agmark Gurias is the assistant. Bob Cutmore is the team manager and his deputy will be former national selector Kera Ngaffin. Neil Dunkley is head trainer or conditioner and he will be assisted by Solomon Kuliniasi. Doctor James Naipao will be the team doctor and Mathew Natusch will be the physiotherapist. The PNG Residents train on squad are Josaiah Abavu, Richard Kambo, Larsen Marabe, Israel Eliab, Enoch Maki (Vipers), Albert Patak, Dion Aiye, Pora, Wartovo Puara Junior (Gurias), Urakuse, Glen Nami, Wesley Mohukule, Thompson Teteh ( Lahanis), Mathew Puke, Charlie Wabo, Roy Kela (Muruks), Jason Tali ( Eagles), David Loko (Mioks), Mark Mexico ( Tigers) and Esau Siune (TNA Lions). Comments are closed.
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