Papua New Guinea rugby league coach Michael Marum says the team's NRL stars are leading by example in the lead-up to this weekend's historic World Cup opener in Port Moresby.
The Kumuls will begin their campaign against Wales on Saturday afternoon in front of a sold out crowd at the National Football Stadium, in the country's first ever World Cup match on home soil.
The PNG Kumuls World Cup squad on home soil at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. Photo: NRL Photos
Michael Marum said after a long wait the tournament is just days away and excitement is building around the country.
"It's finally coming this weekend so everyone is looking forward to the match against Wales this Saturday afternoon. A lot of people are turning up at training, this sort of thing," he said.
"There's a lot more requests for the players to go out to schools and hospitals and that sort of thing but we're really mindful of the time we've got left and the main focus is just on training, preparing a side to go out there and play well on Saturday".
PNG Kumuls coach Michael Marum. Photo: NRL Photos
All three of the Kumuls pool matches will be played in Port Moresby, with the Welsh to be followed by Ireland and the United States.
Michael Marum said, while the home support is a welcome boost, there was also a risk players could get distracted.
"That's one of our main concerns again but with the experience of the NRL boys that are in camp now, they know what sort of routine they have to go through in order to prepare themselves for games," he said.
"So that's really good to see - they're leading by example and that's just helping us (to learn) from lots of good players".
Brisbane Broncos flyer David Mead will lead the Kumuls team at the weekend from fullback, while 2013 captain Paul Aiton will make his first test appearance since the last World Cup in the backrow.
Ase Boas is one of seven current or former PNG Hunters players name din the starting line-up but is in doubt with a knee injury picked up in the International Tri Series in Suva earlier this month.
Wales captain Craig Kopczak with Papua New Guinea captain David Mead. Photo: NRL Photos 2017
Michael Marum said the Hunters skipper, who is set to partner brother Watson Boas in the halves, will be given until game-day to come right, although they don't want to risk him in the first match unless he's fully recovered.
