Gold Coast Titans fullback David Mead has been appointed captain of the PNG LNG Kumuls. Coach Michael Marum said from Sydney last night that Mead will lead the PNG LNG Kumuls for the Pacific Test against Fiji Batis at Pirtek Stadium in Paramatta, Sydney on Saturday.
“David (Mead) has been a PNG Kumul since 2008. He is one of the most senior players in the side now and with his NRL experience having played for the Gold Coast Titans since 2009 at the highest level, I have every confident he will lead the Kumuls well during our preparations this week and the game against Fiji on Saturday,” Marum said.
Marum said there will be no vice-captain for this game.
Mead represented PNG at the 2008 World Cup in Australia and the 2013 World Cup in England. He has played more than 100 games for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL.
The soft spoken 27 year old from Tubusereia just outside Port Moresby in the Central Province said he was honoured to be named captain. “To play for Papua New Guinea is an achievement but to lead the Kumuls is an honour. I thank coach Michael Marum for this appointment and will give it the best I can for every Papua New Guinean,” Mead said.
All the players and staff gathered in Penrith west of Sydney last night (Monday) and underwent fitness tests.
“All the players are fit and healthy. We had a team dinner last night and all the players are in high spirits. We will have our first training run today (Tuesday),” Marum said.
A Fan Day will be held at the Pirtek Stadium at Paramatta on Thursday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm where all Papua New Guineans and Kumul supporters living in and around Sydney can go and meet the players and get photographs and autographs.
The PNG LNG Kumuls play Fiji Batis at Pirtek Stadium in Paramatta, Sydney on Saturday.
