Mead back home for dad, family

By ISAAC LIRI
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls captain David Mead arrived quietly in the country yesterday to attend to family commitments at his native Tubusereia, Central province.
The 27-year old, who arrived with one-year-old son Paxton and wife Taneal were greeted at the airport by a group of family members.
“I’ll be here for a week, I’ve got build my dad’s headstone in the village this weekend (Saturday) so I’m looking forward to seeing all the family and celebrate the last part of my dad’s life,” Mead said.
Mead’s father Stephan Mead passed away four years ago in 2012 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Apart from the purpose of his visit home, the former Gold Coast Titan and Brisbane Broncos recruit is excited about his one-year contract with the Wayne Bennett-coached side next year although it was heart breaking to leave the club which helped him build his first grade career.
“I’m pretty excited, obviously I’ve been with the Titans for about eight years played first grade there and the contract ended this year and Brisbane was a pretty good club,” Mead said.
“I thought it would be good for move me so I’m definitely excited about it.”
The NSW Country fullback predicted he could be playing on the wing next year for Broncos but the decision would be with Bennett and how he utilises the PNG international.
“I can play pretty much anywhere in the backline but it’ll all depend on how Wayne uses me and I’m just excited about the opportunity.
“I think I’ll be playing on the wing you know they’ve got players like Darius Boyd there, James Roberts and other good outside backs and I’m pretty excited about,” he said.
Mead said he would be available to play for PNG next year at the Rugby League World Cup as it was one of his goals however, the former Titan flyer admitted he would have to earn his position with the Broncos before he could earn a spot in Michael Marum’s 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad.
“I’m definitely looking forward to playing in the World Cup next year for PNG but obviously I’ve got to get through a whole year of playing rugby league first so that’s going to be my focus first.
“The World Cup is at the back of my head and that’s one of my goals to play in it but at the moment I’ll be focusing on making sure I get a spot in the Broncos come round one,” he said.
Mead, who has played for PNG at two World Cups (2008 and 2013), is a front-runner to captain the Kumuls after leading the national side to a pulsating 24-22 win over Fiji in May.