The coach of the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team returns to the helm of the PNG Hunters this weekend after overseeing the upset Melanesian Cup win over the Fiji Bati last week.
PNG Kumuls coach Michael Marum. Photo: NRL Photos
The PNG Kumuls won 26-14 after leading the Bati 26-4 at halftime.
Coach Michael Marum said the PNG side simply stuck to their game plan.
"We really wanted to get off to a good start. We executed our plan really well in that first 40," Marum said.
"The second half was just more on defending our line and even though we didn't have the football we kept turning up for each other in defence.
"It was really good to see...our defence brought us through in the end."
Marum, who is also the Hunters coach, says the Kumuls had the advantage of strong combinations because so many players were in both teams.
However he said now the Hunters players focus was solely on defending their Queensland Cup title.
"We really need to work hard. There is no more easy games for us," Marum said.
"We have to win at least all our home games and our goal is to win two away games to get us through to the top six. We focus on one game at a time starting this weekend.
The PNG Hunters are at home to the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Port Moresby on Sunday.
Marum keeps an eye on his Hunters players from the bench Photo: NRL Photos