Tu’u breaks shackles, ready for hunt

BEING out for a full season on a technicality has only made SP Papua New Guinea Hunters squad member Lawrence Tu’u, pictured, more determined to play well in 2017 but it has also made him thankful for his opportunity.
Last season was a mixed bag for Tu’u who was left out of the squad in the pre-season because of a visa complication that would not allow the 26-year-old to travel with the team to Australia.
Tu’u bided his time in 2016 and showed patience after not being able to play in the Digicel Cup as well.
The utility, who can slot into hooker or the back-row and can fill in at centre in the back line, did not give up on his Hunters dream and made it back into coach Micheal Marum’s squad for the new season after managing through an intense off-season with the club.
Tu’u came off the bench in the Hunters’ 24-18 trial win over the Northern Pride in Cairns earlier in the month and the man of mixed Gulf and Central parentage showed that he still has a lot to offer Marum. The 26-year-old says all he wants to get as much game time in the Intrust Super Cup but admitted that it would not be easy with competition for spots intense and the coach’s game plan the factors to contend with.
“Training has been very tough for me since last year but I think I am in a better shape now but I have to maintain it,” Tu’u said.
“At first it was really intense but then you know after three or four weeks I began to get back into shape from where I left off thanks to the trainers and coach, so now I am just ready for the season ahead.”
Tu’u referred to last season as a testing time for him as visa complications road blocked his travel to down south.
“Last year due to my visa issues my career was affected. I was pretty much just following up on the visa thing and then I went to the Lae Snax Tigers to play some off-season games but didn’t make the Digicel Cup team. Since I was following up on my visa I had to come back to Port Moresby and check.
“I was excited when I was called by Michael (Marum) because I was hoping he wouldn’t forget me once I got my visa sorted out,” Tu’u added.