Central rugby league side impresses in NZ

By KEVIN TEME
STOP N Shop Port Moresby Vipers hooker Toua Kohu, who led the Central rugby league side to New Zealand last month, said there only way to produce better results is by having good leaders.
Kohu was speaking after he and the side returned from New Zealand after some impressive performances against some rugby league clubs in Waikato City and Auckland.  
He said the output of any game would depend on the type of leader in the organisation, church or sporting groups.
Kohu said they did not have any big name players in the team when they travelled to New Zealand but the results spoke for themselves.
In their first match, they smashed Taniwharau from Waikato 38-0. They followed it up with another outstanding performance against Ellersley Eagles and thrashed them, 72-4 before crushing Papatoetoe 44-4 to end their campaign on a high note.
“When you have a good leadership in the team, you have good results and it is evident with the results produced by the local boys. We had no big name players in the side but we showed that Central has what it takes to play rugby league in PNG,” Kohu said.
Kohu, who was accompanied by former Rabaul Gurias team manager Ted Vere, made their presence felt at the recent friendly matches in New Zealand.
The Central select side performed extremely well during their friendly matches.
Many PNG families and fans in New Zealand spoke highly of the team.
Association secretary Teisi Kalamo said eight players had also caught the eyes of scouts in New Zealand and negotiations were underway for possible recruitment.
Despite not securing sufficient financial backing, Kalamo added that the players did PNG proud.
The event is expected to be a bi-annual event.
PNGRFL officer and Southern regional development officer Ripa Kalamo was impressed with the results.
“They left quietly, got the results and returned quietly and showed what league in the Southern region can offer.”
Kalamo also thanked the PNG High Commission to New Zealand and the PNG community there for the support.
“We will have another game in October in New South Wales and Queensland and to make it possible we need the support from all sectors,” Kalamo said.