Another Albert on the rise

 WELLINGTON Albert’s younger brother Stanton has been named in the Hela Wigmen squad for the 2014 Digicel Cup season.

The 18-year-old debuted for the Hela franchise last year and will be pushing for a spot in the forwards in coach Stanley Hondina’s starting 17.

At 109-kilogrammes, the Mendi Hawks prop could be following in elder brother Wellington’s footsteps with another solid year of cup football under his belt.   

The Kemele-sponsored franchise yesterday released their 25-man squad including four junior development players – Maxie Kapia, Graham Tiki, Awa Tolodako  and Dickson Halimbu.  

Veteran Joseph Omai, in his second year with the Hela side, is expected to provide leadership to the side made up of talent from Mendi and Tari leagues. 

Other notable inclusions in the squad are five-eighth Kewa Kili, who was also named in the Mendi Muruks squad last month, former Muruks and Vipers utility back Felix Tangue, former Muruks backrower Jackson Undi and 2011 Prime Minister’s XIII representative prop Samuel Sok.

The Wigmen board stated that their aim was to promote rugby league’s values and tap into the large talent pool in the Hela and Southern Highlands provinces. 

“We are looking at boys who will be good role models and ambassadors of the code and the Kemele Wigmen brand both on and off the field,” the board said in a statement.

The Wigmen finished a creditable  sixth spot last year and will be looking to make the finals in 2014.

The squad: Dickson Paul, Weza Tenza, Samuel Igibe Sok, Stanton Albert, Aleto Sesemena, Greg Halape (Karintz), Dickson Eki, Oliver Kerry (Murumbu),  David Lapua, Maxie Kapia, William Mone, Raymond Tia (Ira Lai) Felix Tangue,  Kewa Kili, Jackson Undi (Kewabi), Andrew Ipi,   Joseph Omai,  Wawa Paul (Imbongu), Steven Mark , Michael Mapu, McKenzy Buka, Jerry Tapara, Justin Hawija,  Paul Remzy, Daniel Hari,   Philip Joram,  Graham Tiki, Max Tali,  Awa Tolodako, Dickson Halimbu (Hela).