Australian rugby league legend Mal Meninga has told officials that the Kumuls are the game's sleeping giant and the Melbourne Age reports the PNG national team could continue its charge to gain a place in the NRL competition in the clash with New Zealand at the weekend.

The Age says that PNG's bold display against England in it's World Cup opener surprised many people, but not Meninga, “who believes the flamboyant Kumuls should be taken seriously and considered down the track for a place in the NRL”.

And in an article headlined ‘Kumuls gunning for Kiwis’ the Herald-Sun says that “New Zealand's ordinary Cup debut against favourites Australia gives [the Kumuls] hope of qualifying for the finals from the pool of death provided they can reproduce their committed effort.”

Meanwhile, RICHARD JONES writes from London: New Zealand selectors have made three changes to the side that will face the Papua New Guinea Kumuls on the Gold Coast on Saturday night. Crushed 30-6 by Australia in their opening rugby league World Cup fixture last weekend, the Kiwis retained under fire Wigan scrum half Thomas Leuluai. However New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney dumped Dene Halatau while centre Krisnan Inu comes in for the suspended Steve Matai. Also into the Kiwi side is hooker Isaac Luke and second rower David Fa'alogo. Luke and Fa'alogo are expected to start Saturday's game on the interchange for New Zealand.

Leuluai was heavily criticised for his poor performance against the Kangaroos' Jonathan Thurston. The Aussie playmaker starred in the big win over the Kiwis less than 48 hours after the violent killing of his uncle. Kiwi coach Kearney has kept faith with Leuluai for the crucial clash against the Kiwis, opting to give the former Auckland Warriors playmaker another chance on the big stage.