Demetriou: A decent Kumul victory

PNG Kumuls Coach Jason Demetriou described their 42-18 victory over Lebanon yesterday in the Rugby League World Cup in Port Moresby as decent.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Demetriou said;

"It was rusty, but it was good to get the win,' he said.

"I always say it every time, the first game is always difficult because players haven't played together for months, but if the competition continues, we will play freer flowing and fluent."

Demetriou also commended the Lebanese Cedars for giving a good challenge.

"They were what we expected, they have experience players in there," Demetriou said.

"It's really hard to get a gauge on Lebanon because they haven't played together in, I think three years"

"But if you look at their results, they've been competitive."

With Samoa and England up next on the draw, Demetriou thinks it was good to get a win to give them the chance to advance further.

He also acknowledged the passionate crowd in Port Moresby and appeals for something similar and bigger next week when the Kumuls host the 2022 Rugby League World Cup grand finalists Toa Samoa (October 24th).

"Next week is going to be bigger and louder and we hope the crowd can turn up again for us," he said.

PNG Kumuls 42: Tries: Gairo Voro, Robert Derby, Nixon Putt, Finley Glare, Epel Kapinias, Rhys Martin, Bailey Biondi Odo.

Goals: Rhys Martin, 7 from 7 goals.

Lebanon 18: Tries: Abbas Miski, Tony Sukkar

Goals: Alex Conti, 3 from 3 goals.