Macdonald, Segeyaro to spearhead Kumuls against Fiji

St George Illawarra winger Nene Macdonald and Cronulla Sharks hooker James Segeyaro are among six NRL players named in the Papua New Guinea team to face Fiji in next Saturday’s Pacific Test at Campbelltown Stadium.

Macdonald and Segeyaro will be joined by Sydney Roosters halves Kurt Baptiste and Lachlan Lam, Canterbury backrower Rhyse Martin and Melbourne centre Justin Olam.

The six players were members of the Kumuls team which qualified for a quarter-final appearance against England at last year's World Cup after winning all three of their pool matches before passionate crowds in Port Moresby.

Former Bulldogs forward Rod Griffin, who now plays for Townsville Blackhawks, is also in the 18-man squad named by PNG coach Michael Marum, along with Burleigh Bears prop Luke Paige and Ipswich Jets lock Richard Pandia.

The other nine players are all from the PNG Hunters, who are the defending Queensland Intrust Super Cup premiers, including playmaker Watson Boas and former Penrith prop Stanton Albert.

Marum will name a captain once the team goes into camp ahead of the clash with Fiji, which will be the first match played in the Pacific Test double-header featuring Samoa v Tonga.

PNG squad
Adex Wera (PNG Hunters), Enock Maki (PNG Hunters), Nene Macdonald (St George Illawarra Dragons), Junior Rau (PNG Hunters), Justin Olam (Melbourne Storm), Kurt Baptiste (Sydney Roosters), Lachlan Lam (Sydney Roosters), Luke Page (Burleigh Bears), James Segeyaro (Cronulla Sharks), Nixon Putt (PNG Hunters), Rhadley Brawa (PNG Hunters), Rhyse Martin (Canterbury Bulldogs), Richard Pandia (Ipswich Jets), Rod Griffin (Townsville Blackhawks), Stanton Albert (PNG Hunters), Thompson Teteh (PNG Hunters), Watson Boas (PNG Hunters), Willie Minoga (PNG Hunters)