Hunters lose Talita

The National Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA

Stanford Talita

HELA Wigmen centre Stanford Talita has withdrawn from the SP Hunters less than a week after the Kumuls nines star was named in coach Matthew Church’s 30-man squad.
The 24-year-old was an integral part in the Wigmen’s fairytale run to last year’s Digicel Cup grand final, where they lost to eventual champions and minor premiers Lae Tigers.
“Stanford had to withdraw from the squad due to personal issues, which is a shame as I was looking forward to him taking the next step in his development,” Church said.
Talita was part of the Papua New Guinea squad for the Oceania Cup clash against Fiji and Great Britain Lions test but didn’t get to make his international debut.
But he made two appearances for the Kumuls against New Zealand and hosts Australia in October’s inaugural Rugby League World Cup Nines at the Bank West Stadium in Sydney.
This is the second time the 2019 Wigmen player of the year has withdrawn from the Hunters after he was named in the then coach Michael Marum’s 40-man train-on squad two years ago.
He was named in the squad after a solid performance in the 2017 Prime Minister’s 13 clash with Australia in which he scored a try in PNG’s 8-48 loss at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Talita will still play for the Wigmen in the upcoming Digicel Cup season.

14 comments

  • If he doesn’t want to play for the Hunters then why select him in the first place. This is the second time he has turned down the offer. There are plenty of young boys out there dreaming of playing for the Hunters, give them a chance. Plus don’t select him for the Kumuls also.

    • I totally agree. there are literally 1000’s of PNG players dreaming of playing for the hunters & kumuls.

  • Support Kundist comment. Leave him completely out from any representative games in the future. He can play for the Hela Wigmen all his career life. There are players out there who can play much better then him.

  • If he doesn’t want to play for hunters than theres no point for him playing rugby. Just leave rugby and concentrate in whatever you want to do in live. After all every player have their own dream to some day make it to the hunters and to nrl.

  • Seriously, I hoping to see him play for the hunters, after pulling out because of school commitments. Guess there is a good reason why he pull out, AGAIN!

  • He’s got to concentrate on his studies. He is a young man. He will still have his chances after completing his education.

  • Standford……! Just do something else that suits you best and dont even bother playing rugby league again. Dont you realise that you are just simply wasting other people space.

  • Just don’t select him again.. Try select other players who have Dreams to play for Hunter’s and eventually Kumuls..
    I know as a fan that Talita is one of the quality center and turning down offer twice is such a slap on the face.
    Maybe He enjoyed playing Digicel cup so please consider his choice and give chance to other aspiring players who wants to excel and make a name and life for themselves..

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