Bulls rope in Appo

PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls forward Keven Appo has been signed by English Championship club Bradford Bulls on a one-year deal.
The club where former PNG great Stanley Gene played was delighted to announce the signing for next season with an option for a second year subject to international clearance.
The 23-year-old played a starring role as the Kumuls reached the quarterfinals of this year’s Rugby League World Cup, before exiting at the hands of Shaun Wane’s England.
The Eastern Highlands native was vice-captain of the SP PNG Hunters in the Hostplus Cup this season and had stints with the Port Moresby Vipers and Goroka Lahanis in the Digicel Cup.
Head coach Mark Dunning said he was delighted at securing the signature of a long-term target – insisting Appo would bring intensity with and without the ball in 2023.
“I am really, really pleased we have managed to get the deal done – this started prior to the World Cup, we identified him as someone we wanted then after which the World Cup has only shown us and everyone how good he is,” Dunning said.
“He is a big robust human being – everything he does he does with energy. He carries hard and dents defences, he has a real desire to hit hard in defence also.
“I think he will be a real crowd favourite who will get the fans off their seats and clapping.
“He is going to add to and complement our group we already have in the building, we identified certain areas he will bring things such as his infectious energy and commitment and Keven is really looking forward to getting over and we are looking forward to having him.”
Dunning added that the club was in a good space with its acquisitions which included former Huddersfield forward Michael Lawrence who joined the club last week.
“Some of our existing players who played in the World Cup like AJ Wallace, Brad Ho, Chester Butler are all back in and around the building so we are looking healthy, fresh, energised and committed, ready to rip in to an intense pre-season,” he said.