Joseph keen to resume legacy

By MICHAEL PHILIP
LIAM Joseph says it is an honour to make the SP Hunters’ trainon squad as the Rabaul Gurias rookie continues to follow in the footsteps of his dad and rugby league legend August Joseph.
Legendary Gurias winger August made the national side as Papua New Guinea Kumul No.150 back in the 1990s.
Now 20-year-old Liam, from Matupit and Tavui, is aiming to follow a similar blueprint, having earned Hunters trainsquad selection after playing eight Digicel Cup games last season.
He started his rugby league career in 2017 playing for the Sacred Heart International School Under-16s in a schoolboys competition and later went on to join the Rabaul competition with Balanataman Bulldogs.

It was where the Agmark-sponsored Gurias scouted Liam last year.
He realised his dream of wearing the Gurias jumper last season when he made his inter-city rugby league debut against
Goroka Lahanis at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
“It has always been my dream to play for my provincial team because I want to become like my dad,” Liam told The National.
“He played for the Gurias and Kumuls so the whole idea is, I have a dream to play for the Gurias.
“I want to continue our family’s rugby league legacy moving.
“He’s my role model.

“It has so far been a tough journey, but I am excited to have made it this far.”
The then Marcus Kaugla-coached Gurias had a tough 2021 campaign as they barely made the top-six finals following an inconsistent run of results.
However, the East New Briton’s eightmatch showing was enough to get the nod for the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Hunters’ pre-season.
“I only played eight Digicel Cup games, so I was surprised to get the call-up for preseason training,” Liam said.
“But I really did do my best in each of those games.
“As a result, I am here for pre-season training with the Hunters.
“It’s an honour to be with the Hunters.

“Everyone is fighting for a spot in the final squad, so it’s an opportunity to give my best.” Liam said he was eager to learn new skills to build his passion for the game.
The Hunters have wrapped up their incountry pre-season with coach Matthew Church expected to name his final squad before they leave for Queensland tomorrow.
“Training has been intense and very challenging over the past few weeks, but I am coping well with the senior players in the squad,” Liam said.
“I’ve learnt a lot of new things from the experienced players in the squad.”
The lanky flyer said whatever the outcome of the final squad, he was determined to continue improving as a player.