Albert bros to stay back

 PENRITH Panthers brothers Wellington and Stanton Albert, will stay on in Port Moresby for another week doing work with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League.

The pair, who flew up with the Steve Georgallis-coached side for the weekend’s pre-season trial match against the Hunters were welcomed by the league fans before and after Saturday’s match at the National Football Stadium.

Stanton, who did not play because of injury said, he and Wellington, 22, would stay on in Port Moresby while the Panthers team and officials returned to Sydney yesterday.

“We’ll be staying for another week doing some stuff for the PNGRFL,” Stanton said after the game on Saturday, which was won by the visitors 20-12.

The 20-year-old, who played in the Panthers Holden Cup side last year, caught the eye last May with a powerful performance against Fiji in the Pacific Island test on the Gold Coast. Although PNG lost 28-10 to their fellow Melanesians, the younger Albert impressed with a try and quality hit-ups in a losing effort by the then Mal Meninga-coached side. 

But he said it was unlikely he would be fit for the the May test after undergoing surgery the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his left knee only last month. 

With a standard six month recovery period for a major knee operation such as that it is unlikely the 105kg prop will be ready. 

Wellington, who came off the bench for the Panthers in Saturday’s match, was kept quiet by attracting three and four Hunters every time he touched the ball but coach Georgallis sang his praises saying the 194cm tall forward was making steady progress and would hopefully make his NRL debut in Anthony Griffin’s squad soon.

“I thought he (Wellington) played quite well. I know he started out as a wing/centre but we’ve moved him into the forwards,” Georgallis said.

“His defence was solid and he took up well. Obviously, a lot of people were cheering him so I hope he succeeds and he took a step (forward) today.”

Wellington is currently studying sports management at a university in Sydney. Stanton, who spent last year in the Holden Cup has been promoted to the club’s NSW side.