By HAIVETA KIVIA
The Morobe rugby union selectors have named an unheard of Brisbane premier grade player in their 24-man training squad for the SP Brewery Export Lager National 7s.
Selectors named Yawie Wei, a flanker with GPS Oldboys premier grade side, after he starred for his local club Harlequins in the Export Lager Morobe Satelite 7s.
Wei is an IT student at the Queensland University of Technology and finished college at Marist Ashgrove in 2005.
The 21 year old told The Nationals that he wants to get into the Pukpuk 7s team and if that is unsuccessful, he will move to France to try his luck there.
His elder brother Moreina, who plays for Harlequins club in Lae, said the France trip is a holiday, but Yawie indicated that he has friends there and will look for an opportunity.
Rugby officials in Lae are astonished as Yawie was never heard of until two weeks ago when he turned out for Harlequins.
The selectors had little knowledge of where he plays his rugby or whether he had any rugby back ground. Until last week, his background was unknown.
Yawie was named the player of the tournament and his playing ability is exceptional.
A search by this reporter revealed so many interesting aspect of the young man and he is sure to become the target of Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union.
The Morobe squad was named after the two weekends of Export Lager Morobe Satelite 7s.
Coach Joe Toilip said he would like to take two teams to the National Championship if allowed by Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union.
“It would be nice to take the whole squad down because the players named can make two strong teams,” he said.
The squad is dominated by Harlequins club, the cup winners of the Morobe 7s competition.
The 24 men squad is Steven Iko- Harlequins, Winston Nenjipa- Royals, Brian Inamo- Unitech, Wei- Harlequins, Raymond Tau- Harlequins, Joshua Lokora Jr- Harlequins, Jonathan Kua- Harlequins, Nelson Toilip- Harlequins, Naboth Yawing- Harlequins, Manson Joe- Harlequins, Willie Kadata- Royals, Raymond Robert- Unitech, Andrew Maips- Unitech, Michael Gasi- Unitech, Peter Pati- Vikings, Laho Farisa- Lae Tech Rams, Jason Missian- Greyhounds, Sylvester Singoina- Greyhounds, Bruce Teni- Greyhounds, Joseph Wamapiri- Defence, Lucas Kua- Defence, Henry Yambi- Defence, Alan Sandau- Pirates, Darius Vuia- Pirates.
The squad will meet tomorrow at the SCRUM oval to start training for the National 7s.