Hukula will always be a Lahani

**Goroka Lahanis captain Nigel Hukula (middle) and Enga Mioks and fellow Kumul David Loko (left) in the 2009 SP Cup season. – facebookpic**

By PARKER TAMBUA
GOROKA Lahanis legend Nigel Hukula says he will always have a soft spot for the Eastern Highlands club despite the former captain being from another province.
The former SP Hunters assistant coach is from East Sepik, but had lived most of his life in Goroka.
Hukula told The National last week that although he had left the province a few years ago due to other commitments, he still called Goroka home.
“Although I’ve coached other Digicel Cup teams and have been with the SP Hunters as an assistant coach, I’ve never forgotten the Lahanis,” the Kumul No.206 said.

**Nigel Hukula coached Gulf Isou in the Digicel Cup in the 2020 season. – isoupic**

“I still bleed red and white, our Lahanis colours.
“I used to tell the clubs that I coached that outside of me may be different but my heart is always with the Lahanis.
“I played for the Lahanis all throughout my career.
“I was a one-club man.
“Makali Aizue and I joined the club in 1999 and I played with them for over a decade before I retired.”
Hukula led the Lahanis to four grand finals and won three of them. His most recent inter-city successes were back-to-back titles from 2010.
He made his Kumuls debut in 2001 in an end-of-year Test match against Australia at the then Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby.
Hukula came off the bench in the No.14 jersey.

From left: Inaugural 2005 Papua New Guinea Prime Minister’s 13 players Gimapau Keimelo, Michael Mark, Jessie Joe Parker, Rodney Pora, Charlie Wabo, Nigel Hukula, late George Moni, Joseph Omae and Johnson Kuike. – Picture supplied

The Brad Fittler-led Australian Kangaroos, who boasted the likes of Darren Lockyer, Mark Gasnier, Trent Barrett and Braith Anasta, thrashed the home side 54-12.
Apart from the three Tests he played for PNG, he also played in two Prime Minister’s 13 fixtures against Australia.
One of his memorable moments was in 2007 when they made history against Australia in a 24-24 draw, in which Hukula scored the opening try.
“It was in 2001 when Aizue and I made it to the Kumuls from the Lahanis at around same time,” he said. “I was inspired by former Lahanis players like Stanley Gene and the late Lawrence Goive, who had made the Kumuls before us.
“So when I look back to those days with the Lahanis it was always special.
“I always don the jumper with pride and passion for the team and the Eastern Highlands people who I represented.”