SEGEYARO READY TO PLAY FOR PAPUA NEW GUINEA AGAIN
Segeyaro in frame for World Cup captaincy
PNG Kumuls coach Michael Marum says James Segeyaro is in the captaincy frame for the World Cup after the Sharks hooker expressed his desire to end the exodus from his country of birth.
The Ivanhoes junior said in 2015 he would never again represent the Kumuls after a falling out with the PNGRFL for what he perceived as disrespect in the wake of his father’s death.
Segeyaro, 26, has not played for the Kumuls since his one and only appearance in 2011, but it appears time heals all wounds and he has put his hand up for selection at the season’s-end Rugby League World Cup.
PNG Kumuls coach Michael Marum told the Cairns Post it was exciting “for our team and country” to have Segeyaro back in the fold and confirmed he would be up for a leadership position alongside David Mead and Atherton junior Rod Griffin, who captained his nation in the mid-season Pacific Test.
“Obviously he’s got a lot of family back here which have had influence on him about representing PNG,” Marum said. “His dad was a former Kumuls player and (James) is going to go down in history as the first player to follow his dad’s footsteps.
“He’s definitely a contender for the captaincy with David Mead and Rod Griffin.”
The Kumuls will play all of their World Cup pool matches in Port Moresby, which is expected to attract tourists from the Far North, which has a strong Papua New Guinean community.
While that will be a massive event, Marum is firmly focused on creating history with the PNG Hunters this weekend.
The National Football Stadium is expected to be at capacity on Sunday when they face Wynnum-Manly Seagulls.
A win will secure the Hunters the minor premiership with one round remaining, which would be the crowning achievement of their four-year existence.
“With two games remaining there’s a lot of excitement around the country of the team securing the minor premiership, which is history,” Marum said.