12 Jan 2018

Sport: PNG league shocked by second death

1:08 pm on 12 January 2018

Papua New Guinea's rugby league governing body says it has been devastated by news of the death of another former PNG Kumul.

Tinemau played three tests for the PNG Kumuls

Tinemau played three tests for the PNG Kumuls Photo: EMTV

David Tinemau, aged 63, from Chimbu died in Mt Hagen on Monday after a long illness.

Tinemau made his debut against France in 1979, playing three tests and scoring a try.

PNG RFL chair Sandis Tsaka said Tinemau was a prolific winger and centre and also became a former Chairman of Selectors of the PNG Kumuls.

The news of the death comes the same week as 2017 Kumul Katto Ottio died in Port Moresby.

Tsaka said it is a tragedy that two great Kumul players have died within hours of each other.

Ottio, played in seven tests with his last game being in the 2017 World Cup quarter finals against England in Melbourne in November.

Tsaks said their deaths have shocked the community.