New national rugby league champions, Southern, comprising half of the Kumul team for next month’s New Zealand tour. Southern won 11 out of the 22 positions in the team named yesterday.

Among them are former Kumul skipper John Joseph and Southern skipper Roy Loitive, who was named as team captain.

Highlands, who have always dominated previous Kumul teams, managed only five this time and Islands and Northern each won three places.

The touring Kumuls were selected on form and coach Uve Sabumei was quick to commend selectors for a “balanced side.”

“It has youth, experience and is a defensive side,” Sabumei said.

“Defence has been lacking in the past and the Kumul team now has good defenders.”

Subumei said the team has an incentive, first to prove critics of the tour wrong and then beat world champions New Zealand.

“There has to be a lot of work done first before we go,” he added.

The president of the PNG Rugby Football League, Ben Sabumei, was also pleased with the selection.

“I am happy with it, and it is up to the team officials to prepare the team before they leave,” he said.

There were a lot of disappointments as well as surprises.

Newcomers included Southern’s fullback Mathias Kitiman. Londari Monape, Sisa Kimia, Kilie Ario, Northern zone’s Roy Hent and Oscar Aiya and Simon Wema of Islands.

Those who were unlucky were Simon Elar (SZ) and Stainer Sapu (HZ).

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