'We want to climb rankings': Demetriou hails chances for promotion
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Newly appointed Kumuls coach Jason Demetriou has hailed the introduction of promotion and relegation in the Pacific Championships as he aims to lift PNG into the game’s top four nations.
Demetriou, the former Rabbitohs coach, will take charge of the Kumuls for the first time in the historic opening Pacific Bowl match in Fiji on October 19 before PNG host Cook Islands at Santos Stadium on November 3.
If the Kumuls can repeat last year’s feat of winning the Pacific Bowl, they will then have the opportunity to win promotion to next year’s Pacific Cup in a play-off match against the third placed Cup team on November 10 at CommBank Stadium.
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“Through my discussions with the PNGRFL [about the job] one of the things that I spoke about was getting the opportunity to play against the top tier nations more regularly, rather than just in a World Cup,” Demetriou said.
“The way the Pacific Championships has been restructured gives us the opportunity to earn the right to be in that upper tier.
“At the moment we are ranked No.7 in the International Rugby League rankings, and I think for a country that has the playing depth and the talent available to it that PNG has, we need to be pushing into the top four by the end of the next World Cup.”
Demetriou has witnessed the passion in Papua New Guinea for the game firsthand during previous coaching roles with the Broncos, who played a pre-season match in Port Moresby in 2018, and Northern Pride, who played the Hunters at Kokopo.
Fiji Bati v PNG Kumuls - Pacific Bowl final, 2023
“For me I think it is the most exciting period for PNG rugby league,” he said.
“Watching the Hunters play and speaking to [coach] Paul Aiton as often as I have in the last few weeks, there is some exciting young talent coming through, particularly in key areas of the spine.
“I’ve been impressed by [halves] Joshua Lau and Finley Glare, and Judah Rimbu, who is as good as any hooker in the game getting around.”
The Kumuls will draw on a large pool of players based in England, headed by halfback Lachlan Lam, hooker Edwin Ipape , winger Nene Macdonald and goalkicking backrower Rhyse Martin, as well as NRL stars such as Xavier Coates.
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“Having that experience come back and play is good but there is also a lot of talent in PNG, particularly through the Hunters system,” Demetriou said.
“It is not until you get the list of players available that you realise how strong the side can be so I am really looking forward to pulling that together.
“The big thing for me is putting in a program and a plan that is authentic and suits the way the Kumuls like to play and that for me as a coach is the most exciting challenge.”
The Test against the Bati, who are set to be bolstered by the return of Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau, will be the first in Fiji, who will also host Cook Islands on October 26.
“It is the first Test match that will be played in Fiji so I am excited that we are part of that,” Demetriou said. “There is a huge privilege that comes with that and it will be a great game.
“The Fijians are hoping they can get their best team available as well, and I am sure Kikau and Korisau will be putting their hand up to be a part of such a special occasion.
“The way the Pacific Championships has been set up gives countries like ours the opportunity to climb the World Rankings whereas in the past, unless it’s a World Cup, you are not playing those guys.
“To get experience playing against the best players in the game is an opportunity we are excited about, but we understand what is front of us and the Cook Islands will field a decent team too, so it is going to be a great international series.”
