Kumuls on ‘path to Cup upsets’
Vikings flavour is Cooke’s recipe for rep side
GOLD Coast Vikings coach Scott Cooke has called on southeast Queensland selectors to reward his players for their outstanding Chairman’s Challenge carnival across the weekend.
The Vikings last year went winless through the tournament but reversed the ledger this time.
They pounded Ipswich 30-6 on Saturday night before accounting for hosts Brisbane 32-12 yesterday.
A southeast Queensland representative squad will be selected from the tri-series played at Acacia Ridge.
Cooke hopes to see a strong Gold Coast influence in the mix.
“We were the better team over the full weekend and I think they should honour how well our boys did and they should select them for southeast Queensland,” he said.
Cooke, whose side had to overcome the late withdrawals of Jack Cook and Jerry Nia, hailed his players’ attitude as the foundation for their success.
“The big thing was we just had a good buy-in from everyone right from the start,” he said.
“We thought we selected the right players and it proved that we did based on their attitude and their willingness to buy in and to rip in for one another. It really showed on game day both days.”
Led by veteran Mick Esdale, the Vikings had to overcome Ipswich crossing for the first try on Saturday night before they piled on 30 unanswered points.
Yesterday it was a two-try blitz by fullback Jake Carl that put Gold Coast on the victory path.
“Brisbane had us on the back foot … it was pretty tight there for a while and then Carl connor.obrien@news.com.au LUKE Page believes Papua New Guinea can be the surprise packet of the World Cup later this year after producing a disciplined display to down the Cook Islands.
The Kumuls were impressive in their 30-22 victory on Saturday afternoon, in which prop Page delivered a typical blue-collar performance across 51 minutes.
“It was always going to be tough against the Cook Islands,” the Burleigh Bears co-captain.
“They’re always big and strong and the PNG boys are pretty short and solid so it was a really good win.
“It was unreal. That is the second year in a row now (we have won our Test in Australia) so it’s looking good for the World Cup.
“We have got three home games (against Wales, Ireland and USA in Port Moresby) – it will be a massive stage to play on.
“Plus we’ll have the likes of Nene Macdonald and David Mead for the World Cup so hopefully that will put a little bit of a spring in the step for the boys.
“Hopefully we do good for the PNG country.”
Page revealed Kumuls mentor Michael Marum had given him a simple role to dismantle the Cook Islands pack: “Run hard and tackle hard”.
He said Marum, who also coaches the PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup, had made a noticeable impact to the national side’s fortunes. scored two nice tries off (halfback) Jacob Grant taking the line on,” Cooke said.
“That sort of gave us a buffer zone.”
Centres Jamie Anderson and Troy Leo also impressed with their attacking prowess, the latter particularly showing off his pace in scoring a series of long-range tries.
Ipswich finished second in the tournament, having pipped Brisbane 34-28 in their clash on Friday night.
Opposite Page in the starting front-row was Tweed Heads’ Carne DoyleManga, who was playing his second Test for Cook Islands.
Doyle-Manga, who qualifies for Cook Islands via heritage on his father’s side, said he enjoyed the bruising encounter.
“They were pretty tough. I’m pretty sore right now,” he said. “But just being out there … it was the best feeling.
“It was probably one of the hardest matches I’ve played and just knowing I have got to play them again in a few weeks’ time against the Hunters is nerve-racking.”
The Cook Islands won’t be in action at the World Cup in October but Doyle-Manga feels their young squad is building nicely for the following edition in 2021 and had learnt plenty from “champion” skipper Alex Glenn.
“Just how professional he is and how he goes about things just really makes us think twice about how we’re doing stuff,” Doyle-Manga said.
“It was awesome. He told us, “do what you’re good at and do it to your 100 per cent”.”
In the following Test at Campbelltown Stadium, Doyle-Manga’s Tweed teammate Ben Nakubuwai scored his maiden international try for Fiji, capitalising on some fine work by Kevin Naiqama to keep the ball in play.
However, the four-pointer by young gun Nakubuwai, who is also the Titans list, could not stop the Bati from falling to a heartbreaking 26-24 loss to Tonga.