Eagles hope recruiting Capra’s Yei, Kumuls pair Putt, Meninga will boost team

THE Mt Hagen Eagles say they are hopeful of recruiting Kumuls pair Nixon Putt and Moses Meninga, and Central Queensland Capras’ McKenzie Yei for the upcoming Digicel Cup season.
Team manager Micah Pia said the club was negotiating with the players to boost the side’s campaign in the Digicel Cup which kicks off on July 5. “We are hoping that the trio, who are in Australia, can join us,” he told The National yesterday.
“Moses (Townsville Blackhawks), Nixon (Norths Devils) and McKenzie are with their respective Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) clubs.
“The trio told us that they were going through some paper work.
“Hopefully, an arrangement can be made with their clubs so that they can come and play with us.
“If we can get them in the side then it will obviously be a big bonus for us.
“We’re still holding discussions and there’s nothing official yet but we keeping our fingers crossed.
“We understand that they are contracted to those clubs so we’ll just wait and see whether they become available.”
Meanwhile, Pia said they had a 29-man squad but were open to recruiting more players.
The National understands that the Blackhawks are looking to extend Meninga’s stay in Townsville to the end of next season following the ISC season cancellation in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The former SP Hunter captain’s Australian visa expires in October.
Blackhawks operations manager Adrian Thompson said last month that the club was working with authorities to extend the 29-year-old’s visa.