‘We need more like him’

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

WALLABY assistant coach and former Test prop Andrew Blades recalls with admiration a nippy Papua New Guinean who used to run rings around players during his school days in Sydney.

“As a junior I used to admire with envy a senior student by the name of Mark Sapias, who used to score heaps of tries every game,” Blades said. 

“Because he had the knack of crossing the in-goal a lot of times he would sometimes continue to avoid the defence so that he could pass to a supporting teammate to score,” Blades said.

Blades said Sapias was an amazing talent he would remember forever and the invitation to come and speak brought those great memories back.

“If there are more players of Mark Sapias calibre out there, then I hope my visit here can contribute towards identifying that natural talent for PNG rugby,” he said.

The 32 Test Wallaby veteran (1992-1999) who retired when Australia beat France for the 1999 World Cup in Wales, was a special guest speaker during a Club Pukpuk Incorporated supporters fundraiser luncheon at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby on Friday.

The occasion saw most tables being sold off at K5,000 each and several items, including two framed signed Wallaby jumpers, auctioned off.   

Club Pukpuk is the official supporter’s club organisation of the PNG Rugby Football Union (PNGRFU). 

It was established by strong supporters of the game in the business community to strengthen ties and develop a network towards supporting the endeavours of the PNGRFU under president Richard Sapias to improve infrastructures and facilities of the code in PNG.  

Richard is Mark’s younger brother.

Blades acknowledged that the Monier PNG development squad was on the Gold Coast undergoing a training camp with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) high performance unit.

“I’m sure this new relationship will support your endeavours to further the growth of rugby in PNG,” he said.

The Australian Under-20 team is at the same camp at Bond University. 

Blades, is with the PNG development team after leaving Port Moresby earlier this week.

Mark went on to make NSW schoolboys rugby league representative level but injured his knee. Came back to PNG played club rugby union with the Fly club and was instrumental in the formation of champion Harlequins club of Port Moresby in 1993. By profession Mark is television news reader and popular radio announcer. He is currently running his own family business.