KUMULS LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

By Nigel MADO

In the aftermath of their 54-12-point loss against the New Zealand Kiwis, PNG LNG Kumuls coach Jason Demetriou and captain Rhyse Martin, reflected on the game and their ambitions for the future of rugby league in Papua New Guinea.

Although the match ended in disappointment for the Kumuls, the team sees they performance as a key milestone in their long-term journey toward the 2026 Pacific Championship.

Demetriou acknowledged the team may have initially shown the Kiwis too much respect, which impacted their momentum early in the game.

The Kumuls see each game as an opportunity to strengthen their confidence, paving the way for future performances where they can confidently stand up to some of rugby’s most formidable teams.

One of the key areas Demetriou highlighted was mental toughness, a critical skill that separates top players from the rest.

He believes that while many players showed resilience, some are still learning to stay focused under pressure.