LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
"Time to Blow the Whistle": Kumuls Star Hits Out at Demetriou's Appointment as Coach
In a recent twist of events, Wests Tigers and Papua New Guinea center Justin Olam has stepped up to voice his discontent with the decision to appoint Jason Demetriou as the new head coach of the Kumuls.
Demetriou, the former South Sydney Rabbitohs head coach, has been chosen to lead the national team into battle in the upcoming Pacific Tests against Fiji and the Cook Islands in the Pacific Bowl tournament.
Taking over from Justin Holbrook, who has now joined the Kangaroos' coaching staff alongside Mal Meninga for the Pacific Championship against New Zealand and Tonga, Demetriou's appointment has raised a few eyebrows in the rugby league community.
It is rumored that a number of potential coaches were sidelined before Demetriou clinched the Papua New Guinea role.
"Bringing in someone of Demetriou's expertise to coach the Kumuls is a major win for the sport in PNG," stated PNGRFL CEO Stanley Hondina, as reported by NRL.com.
In the game of rugby league, sometimes a new coach can breathe fresh air into a team, but in this case, it seems like the decision has left some players feeling offside.
It remains to be seen how this coaching shakeup will play out on the field for the Kumuls.