NO NRL LABELS, WE ARE ALL THE SAME COME SATURDAY AS PNG KUMULS SET TO HOST TOA SAMOA
All NRL labels will be left in the dressing room when the host PNG Kumuls take on Toa Samoa this weekend at Port Moresby’s National Football Stadium.
PNG Kumuls winger Robert Derby has acknowledged the number of NRL players in the Samoan side, which has attracted plenty of attention, but says the 80-minute contest will be played without labels.
“It’s obviously special being in the World Cup, but for me, I’d like to push that aside,” Derby said.
“No NRL labels on the players, as I guess we all play the same. Obviously, you’ve got to have respect for them, but you don’t want to hold yourself back against those players.”
Derby said the Kumuls camp was building towards the match, where they will be looking to secure their second win following their victory over Lebanon last weekend.
“I’ll just go in like it’s just another game. We did that last week and will do the same this week for the country,” he added.
Derby is expected to line up against Brian To’o, with Zac Laybutt alongside him in the Kumuls backline, while Nene McDonald and Dudley Dotoi will cover the other edge.
Upon arriving in Port Moresby, To’o said he would give his best performance against the Kumuls this weekend.
“I’ll be putting my best performance this weekend against the brothers in PNG Kumuls,” To’o said.
He said he understood what the Kumuls were playing for and acknowledged the huge task ahead.
“They (Kumuls) are a massive team. You can see the drive and the purpose of playing for their country,” To’o added.
PNG KUMULS
Morea Morea, Robert Derby, Zac Laybutt, Nene McDonald, Dudley Doti, Gairo Voro, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Epel Kapinias, Edwin Ipape, Luca Moretti, Rhyse Martin (C), Nixon Putt, Jack De Belin, Finley Gaire, Liam Horne, Valentine Richard, Kahiya Waiembi, Rodrik Tai, Josh Feledy.
Reserves: Sylvester Namo, Sanny Wabo and Zev John.
TOA SAMOA
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Brian To’o, Izack Tago, Stephen Crichton, Sualauvi Faalogo, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jarome Luai (C), Francis Molo, Benaiah Ioelu, Junior Paulo, Connelly Lemuelu, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Manuleleua, Jazz Tevaga, Spencer Leniu, Shan Blore, Ata Mariota, Clayton Faulalo and Ronald Volkman.
Reserves: Pasami Saulo, Enari Tuala and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava.
