Kolo’s stock on the rise

KUMUL prop Nixon Kolo was one of the shinning lights for PNG in the Four Nations.
The Masta Mak Rangers forward, and one of a handful of survivors from the 2008 World Cup campaign, has improved his game markedly from the Prime Minister’s XIII match in September through to Saturday’s last match of the Four Nations against England.
From being used soley as a reserve forward from the PM’s XIII match and in the first two Four Nations games, coach Stanley Gene threw the talented Western Highlander (Baiyer) into the fray against the English and Kolo did not disappoint.
Forming a two-man wrecking crew with veteran Makali Aizue, who had his best game against England, Kolo played an amazing 65 minutes of the match in a powerhouse performance.
The rugged bemobile Cup star is fast becoming, along with Gurias George Moni, automatic selections for bench or even as he should against England a certified starter.
Kolo burst onto the scene playing for the Wari Vele Raiders in the SP Cup in 2006, and even then showed above average skills for a frontrow forward.
A side stepping, ball-playing frontrower is rare even at the top level and Kolo is a talented athlete  in the mould of a Joseph Omae but with a harder edge.
Given his first starting berth and the way he handled himself Kolo could be a long term solution for the Kumuls in the engine room especially with Aizue and Rodney Pora already in their 30s.
With Gene encouraging his players at the Four Nations to market themselves to potential  clubs it is fair to say that Kolo has been one player who has not done his chances any harm.