Papua New Guinea rugby league coach Michael Marum says he will select an entirely locally-based squad for next weekend's Pacific Test against Fiji.
League's eligibility laws have come in for criticism this week after Australia selected former Fiji Bati international Semi Radradra, while Brisbane star Anthony Milford has been involved in a tug of war between Australia and Samoa.
Michael Marum said he's not against picking players from the NRL and offshore but has opted to back local talent this time around and plans to touch base with some others while the squad is in Australia.
"We've got a few of our own boys that have indicated to play for us. There are one or two more players that we're trying to get across that are still maybe still thinking of playing for other countries. We plan to, when we go down to Sydney, all of these maybe Kumuls players invite them to camp and just sit down properly with them and see what they are thinking. In the past they probably didn't want to come represent the country because of the previous coaching staff and management staff and that was probably part of the reason why they decided to play for the other countries."
Michael Marum said he will finalise his 18-man squad after this weekend's round of club matches.
PNG rugby league coach Michael Marum. Photo: Supplied
