PNG Hunters rugby league coach Michael Marum has been backed to take charge of the Papua New Guinea Kumuls national team.
PNG captain Israel Eliab and coach Michael Marum Photo: RNZI/Vinnie Wylie
Mal Meninga was announced as the new Australian head coach during week, despite still being contracted to PNG Rugby League until the 2017 World Cup.
PNG Rugby League CEO, Bob Cutmore, says there have been informal discussions over the past month about who could replace Meninga, if he accepted the Kangaroos job.
He says his personal preference would be to appoint a Papua New Guinean coach and surround him with experienced mentors.
"Our top coach at the moment is Michael Marum, who's doing a really great job with the Queensland Cup side. He probably deserves the opportunity to coach the Kumuls on a one-off basis and whether he wants someone to assist him in that role, during that short period of time [is up to him]. He's only going to have the players together for a week because most of our players are committed - whether with NRL clubs or Q-Cup clubs - the week prior to the test so that will be a decision that the board will make."
Bob Cutmore says there is no need to rush into a permanent appointment with the Kumuls next test match in May next year.
