PNG Hunters continuing rise great for NRL hopes
SEVERAL Hunters players are already on the radar of National Rugby League clubs keen to test out the new talent pool that is Papua New Guinea.
Players who have caught the eye and consistently performed over the first 15 rounds of the Queensland Cup like Wartovo Puara Jr, Israel Eliab, Garry Lo and Thompson Teteh must be on someone’s shopping list.
This is great news for the players and proves the Hunters venture is not only producing results on the field (the team is second on the ladder and has only lost one home match) but the players are displaying their skills and abilities on the best possible stage.
It will only be a matter of time before more players get given opportunities like Mark Mexico at the Cronulla Sharks and Wellington Albert at the Penrith Panthers.
Those naysayers, those critics of the Queensland Cup route into the NRL must surely see that, national pride aside, the Hunters team and culture has changed many good local players into professional footballers ready to have a go in the NRL.
But what does this all mean for the main goal of getting a PNG side into the NRL?
The thing that the Hunters and Team Kumul management must be wary of is that the possible acquisition of players, a new crop of potential stars will have to brought in from the Digicel Cup and taken through the motions of a pro football club in order to be ready for the rigours of playing football in Australia.
It is essential that the Hunters are competitive and consistent performers in the Q-Cup – and dominate it – in order to show the Australian Rugby League that a team from PNG in their competition has merit. The Hunters have proved that they not only have a large fan base but the ability to generate adequate income, compete with the Australians and win.
The Hunters can ulimately be that PNG team that breaks into the NRL.
Players who have caught the eye and consistently performed over the first 15 rounds of the Queensland Cup like Wartovo Puara Jr, Israel Eliab, Garry Lo and Thompson Teteh must be on someone’s shopping list.
This is great news for the players and proves the Hunters venture is not only producing results on the field (the team is second on the ladder and has only lost one home match) but the players are displaying their skills and abilities on the best possible stage.
It will only be a matter of time before more players get given opportunities like Mark Mexico at the Cronulla Sharks and Wellington Albert at the Penrith Panthers.
Those naysayers, those critics of the Queensland Cup route into the NRL must surely see that, national pride aside, the Hunters team and culture has changed many good local players into professional footballers ready to have a go in the NRL.
But what does this all mean for the main goal of getting a PNG side into the NRL?
The thing that the Hunters and Team Kumul management must be wary of is that the possible acquisition of players, a new crop of potential stars will have to brought in from the Digicel Cup and taken through the motions of a pro football club in order to be ready for the rigours of playing football in Australia.
It is essential that the Hunters are competitive and consistent performers in the Q-Cup – and dominate it – in order to show the Australian Rugby League that a team from PNG in their competition has merit. The Hunters have proved that they not only have a large fan base but the ability to generate adequate income, compete with the Australians and win.
The Hunters can ulimately be that PNG team that breaks into the NRL.
PNG Today / The National
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