Minoga ready to lead

Sports

WILLIE Minoga also known as the “freight train” is the only overseas based player available for Michael Marum’s Prime Minister’s 13 side that will take on the Australian PM’s 13 on Saturday at the National Football Stadium.
The 26-year-old Engan, who just completed  his debut season with the Townsville Blackhawks, after two years with the PNG Hunters, is one of the most experienced forwards in the PNG side and Marum has high expectations for him to lead the pack alongside fellow stars Brandy Peter, Esau Siune and David Loko.
Minoga said he was happy with the team put together by Marum as many of them are familiar faces that he has line up with before.
“There are players I’ve played with before and also some new guys from the Digicel Cup, so together I think we give the Aussies a good challenge,” Minoga said.
“Michael told us to be focused, to do what we can do to the best of our ability.”
As a forward Minoga knows that it will be a major task against the Australians who boast big names across the park, but Minoga revealed that they had a plan in place to handle the big Aussie forwards and it was all about putting their bodies on the line for the team and the country.
“I’m not too worried about them. I’ll do my best and I’ll put my body on the line.”
As a player who is not new the Kumuls jumper, Minoga told The National that he would use this game a test for himself against the best as well to prepare for the Rugby League World Cup next year.
“It is a big game for me and the boys leading up to the World Cup and I will do my best because at the back of my mind, I want to make my countrymen and women proud.”
Minoga added that he would use his Blackhawks experience tto produce a better game for his team on Saturday, and appealed to fans to come out and support them.