Former Rabbitohs mentor on the radar to take up PNG Kumuls coaching role

Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League’s search for the country’s national team coach is coming to end as they prepare to announce the successful candidate that will lead the team for the scheduled international fixtures.

One aspirant that has emerged to top apart from the obvious names in Adrian Lam, David Westley, Shane Flanagan and Marcus Bai, is the former South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou.

It was reportedly announced by Australia’s News Corp that the 48-year-old had negotiated with PNGRFL to be the next coach after Justin Holbrook’s departure mid this year.

Demetriou was sacked by Rabbitohs in April and would likely revive his rugby league coaching post if talks with Kumuls are successful in the coming weeks.

The axed Rabbits guru has been the front runner for the top rugby league job in PNG since his sacking four months ago.

Current PNG Hunters coach and Kumuls legend Paul Aiton told local media that he hasn’t considered himself in the coaching ranks for the Kumuls but would throw in his support for the prosperous applicant that wins the bid.

“It would be a privilege for whoever gets it. It’s a huge coaching role. I’ll be behind whoever gets it. I’ll be in support of them,” Aiton said last month when the vacancy in Kumuls coaching job was announced by PNGRFL.

Ex Kumuls coach and current Sydney Roosters assistant coach in Holbrook took up a similar role with Australian Kangaroos, where he will be assisting Mal Meninga, after a short spell with the PNG international side in 2023.

The PNG Kumuls will be defending the Pacific Bowl title in Fiji where they will face Cook Islands and the hosts in Suva.

It’s also expected PNG will compete in a tier-two international tournament at the end of NRL and Super League season, taking on Cook Islands, Lebanon and France.