Church thrilled to pick Worot

**Tony Worot had stints with Lae Tigers and Rabaul Gurias before he joined Kimbe Cutters.**

By MICHAEL PHILIP
COACH Matthew Church says he is excited to enlist Kimbe Cutters prop Tony Worot for pre-season training with his SP Hunters despite the absence of experienced Papua New Guinea forwards.
The only Cutter selected for Church’s 32-man train-on squad, the East New Briton – with his height and weight – is expected to come into calculations for the final squad alongside experienced campaigner Epel Kapinias.
Church told The National last Friday that he was backing Worot to fill the void created by Kumuls pair Enock Maki and Stanton Albert, who both would not be part of their 2022 Queensland Intrust Super Cup campaign.
“I am excited to work with Tony,” he said of the 26-year-old.
“Anthony is rangy and lean. We don’t have a lot of those around in PNG, so to get someone like him, it gives balance to the team.
“He is such a young guy who really impressed me in his first week of pre-season training.

Tony Worot walking off the field after the Kimbe Cutters’ Digicel Cup match against fellow New Guinea Islanders Rabaul Gurias at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby last season. – Nationalpic by MICHAEL PHILIP

“He has a great running style. We can credit that to his long legs.
“He has been really good to start the pre-season.
“We’re excited to build on what he knows and what he can learn in a bid to make him the player that we want him to be.” The made coach Matthew Church’s initial 32-man squad in the pre-season and is now one selection away from making the final 26 for the 2022 Intrust Super Cup Season.
Worot played for Digicel Cup heavyweights Lae Tigers in 2015 and 2016 before the Nangananga villager returned home the following year to join Rabaul Gurias.
The 186cm, 102kg forward switched to the Cutters when the Kimbe side joined the country’s premier rugby league competition in 2019.
“I’m excited to be here as I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Hunters,” Worot said.
“I’m looking forward to the pre-season grind.

**Cutters forward Tony Worot taking on the Gurias defence. – Nationalfilepics**

“I have to work hard and continue improving to get good results at training.
“Hopefully, I make the final 26-man squad, but I’m not looking too far ahead.”
The South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Hunters are into their second week of pre-season training and Church – alongside assistant coaches Paul Aiton and Stanley Tepend – is keeping an eye on every player.
Meanwhile, Cutters coach Luke Samak congratulated Worot on his selection.
“We are thrilled that one of our players has joined the Hunters for pre-season training,” he said.
“We wish him all the best in his bid to make the final squad.”