Baptiste aims to rebuild career

PAPUA New Guinea international and Sunshine Coast Falcons recruit Kurt Baptiste is looking to rebuild his rugby league career after recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2019.
He was with the Cowboys when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2019 National Rugby League (NRL) season.
“It was unfortunate as I couldn’t secure another NRL deal,” Baptiste told QRL.com of how he came to join the ninth-placed Falcons.
“It’s probably the first time I’ve been able to choose where I want to live.
“My wife and I wanted to live on the Sunshine Coast, so we moved up here.
“I’m lucky enough to be here.
“We’ve got a good coaching staff and playing group, so they’ve all been welcoming to me.
“We’ve had a fair start to the season which is good.
“Hopefully, we can keep building on that.”
Saturday’s 12-32 loss to the SP Hunters was Baptiste’s fourth appearance for the Falcons, who have so far recorded two wins and as many losses.
“The Hunters are strong ball runners,” the former NRL journeyman said prior to the Bycroft Oval clash at Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast.
“It’s always going to be a tough contest against them, they run hard and straight at you.”
The 30-year-old former Brisbane Bronco, Canberra Raider, Sydney Rooster and North Queensland Cowboy came off the bench in the 42nd minute and played the remainder of the round-four match.
By then, the Hunters were holding a 20-6 lead before they went on to make it three wins in a row to climb to third spot behind leaders Norths Devils and Wynnum Manly.
Meanwhile, Baptiste said he was passionate about playing for the Kumuls.
“I love representing PNG, it’s great,” the hooker said.
“The PNG people love rugby league and I love representing them.
“It’s their national sport and they’re mad about their rugby league.
“They just love it.”