Demetriou keen on navigating PNG into top 4

PNG Kumuls won the Pacific Bowl last year (Image: NRL)

Newly appointed Kumuls coach Jason Demetriou is obstinate that PNG can place in the top four with the current crop of talent.

Demetriou believes PNG has the potential to compete against tier-one nations to establish Kumuls in the top ranks.

The former South Sydney Rabbitohs mentor was vocal about making this possible as he takes on his first task in the forthcoming Pacific Championships.

Newly Kumuls coach appointed coach Jason Demetriou (Image: Supplied)

“It's always an absolute pleasure to be here and just privileged to be able to lead the calls and the upcoming tests and we're excited to get to work.

“I think the calls need to be aimed higher. I think we need to be setting a goal out there to be top four in the international arena and get games against big clubs, big countries up in it.”

Demetriou was impressed with the way PNG Hunters have progressed in Hostplus Cup and the talent coming through was immense.

He also told the rugby league fraternity that Digicel ExxonMobil Cup continues to unleash potential Kumul prospects that could be considered for representative duties soon.

“As a coach, the one thing you want is to see competition and you want to see players and your talent pool to be deep and it's very deep here in PNG,” he said.

The Kumul coach said focus is now on earning a shot at that Pacific Bowl tournament to get promotion into to the top tier pool.

Demetriou is expected to assemble the Kumuls squad at the end of the NRL and Super League season in preparation for the clash against Fiji on October 19 at Suva and the November 3 match with Cook Islands in Port Moresby.

“I'm quite passionate about how I think the Kumuls play their footy when they play their best footy,” he said.

“I was fortunate to catch some of the pride when the Hunters first came in the competition [Queensland rugby league].

“So, it was then that I realised how much talent is in the country and I'm excited to coach the team in a style that suits them.

“It's not about me teaching them how to be the same as every other NRL team. We have a different set of skills and it's about embracing that and then bringing that every week. “

It will be interesting to see how the Kumuls team will be amassed as PNG players in England and Australia push for spots in the red, black and gold colors.

Roderick Tai, Nene Macdonald, Edwin Ipape, Liam Horne, Rhyse Martin, Lachlan Lam, Emmanuel Waine, Keven Appo are some of the notable inclusions from Super League.

The Hunters also avail a lot of players given their current form with the possibility of Sanny Wabo, Brendan Nima and Whallen Tau-Loi, to make their Kumuls debut.

PNG’s NRL trio Zac Laybutt, Justin Olam and Alex Johnston were ruled out due to injuries sustained. But, the addition of Melbourne Storm flyer Xavier Coates would add depth in Kumuls backline alongside Kyle Laybutt and lock forward Jack de Belin.