Isaac aims to make up for lost time

By PARKER TAMBUA
SP Hunters forward Dilbert Isaac says he is eager to make up for lost time as he continues to rebound from a serious back injury which had threatened to cut his rugby league career short.
The Chimbu native re-joined the Hunters mid-season last year and played just six games before he injured his thumb towards the end of the Hostplus Cup regular season.
Isaac made his Cup debut in 2018 and played two seasons.
Unfortunately, his rugby league career was in doubt at the end of the 2019 season when he suffered the injury which saw him spend almost the whole of 2020 at Kundiawa Hospital.
The former Papua New Guinea representative, who played two matches against England Knights in 2018, said on Thursday that he was eyeing a better 2022 season with full pre-season under his belt.
“It’s always good to start the season strong and going through full pre-season is exactly what I need,” Isaac said.
“Last year, I struggled a bit without a pre-season.
“But this year, it’s different as I am prepared for the season.
“I think I lost a few kilos and I am starting to feel a bit lighter and faster.
“Initially, I had set my goals to be more agile and to be a workaholic, and I believe I am accomplishing that in the pre-season. I look forward to the season and hopefully I can give my best for the team and win more games.”
Meanwhile, Isaac said he was happy to work with the rookie forwards in the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored side.
“I know we lost some experienced forwards and there are many young ones that have joined the side,” he said.
“But they have good size and height, they are fast and more agile.
“So I’m looking forward to playing alongside them if all of us make the final squad that will relocate to Queensland.”