Kumuls wary of Wolfhounds pack
RUGBY LEAGUE PNG Kumuls will go into a winner-take-all showdown with Ireland this weekend without Atherton junior Rod Griffin as he recovers from a calf injury.
It has always been a problem area for the backrower, but Kumuls trainer David Westley said his leadership off the field would help keep players fo- beating touring Townsville powerhouse St Ignatius Park.
Trinity Bay SHS teacher Shannon Riles said students won 76 of a possible 78 matches this year, putting it down to coaches and players’ commitment to footy and school.
“I think they’re really very proud to represent Trinity Bay,” he said. cused and keep the World Cup dream alive by the time he can take the field.
“He captained us in our midyear Test, so he’s a true leader and what he’s doing at the moment in his recovery with the boys is he’s staying upbeat and showing his professionalism,” he said of Griffin, who was named in the NSW Intrust Super Premiership 2017 team of the year after a strong season with the Bulldogs.
“A lot of them have had brothers and sisters who played for Trinity Bay and I think that brings a spirit that’s pretty special.
“Everyone that plays for us has to have at least 85 per cent attendance and can’t be overdue with assessments and have to meet behaviour criteria.
“We have great coaches too
Despite only conceding one try against Wales, Westley said the Kumuls defence would have to improve to contain Ireland and their strong forward pack on Sunday.
“Ireland is a strong side and we’ve got our boys really getting into their recovery after playing in the heat and we’ll just be concentrating on ourselves,” he said.
Eacham Junior League chairman Rugby Anthony and they spend a lot of time encouraging in not just the sport side, but also academically.”
Trinity Bay under-15 fullback Xavier Savage has been one of the big success stories, being selected in the Australian Schoolboys under-15 merit team, and will move to Brisbane next year to further his future in the game. Ball, who played with Griffin at Atherton, said he had his fingers crossed for his return to the Kumuls side, a journey that could not have happened without his early days at the Roosters.
But he tipped another Far North product, James Segeyaro, to have a big impact off the bench as part of a gun Kumuls hooker rotation to topple the Irish.
“It will be pretty hard to go Cairns district Yr 7, 8, 9, under-15 and Open boys, Year 7 girls Sevens carnivals Mossman - U13, U15 boys, U16 girls Freshwater - U13, U15 boys, U16 girls past PNG. They’re big and strong and quick,” he said.
“They’ll be up for it and I’m sure the Irish will be too but I just think PNG with the way they played against Wales, they’ll be too good for them.
“I guess both teams will be confident going into it.”
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