Luke turns over new Page with retirement

The National Sports
Kumuls prop Luke Page has so far scored 22 tries across 133 Queensland Intrust Super Cup matches. – NRLpics

PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls prop and Burleigh Bears skipper Luke Page has announced that he will retire at the end of the Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) season.
The Bears, who finished third in the regular season, will face minor premiers Norths Devils in the grand final qualifiers at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday (2.45pm kick-off).
Prior to the clash, Kumuls winger David Mead’s Wynnum Manly will battle Tweed Heads (12.15pm) for a spot in next Sunday’s grand final at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe.
“It’s an end of an era at the Burleigh Bears, so it’s a bit emotional for me,” 30-year-old Page told QRL.com after their 16-4 win over Souths Logan Magpies in week two of the finals late last month.
“But we got the win against Souths Logan, so I’m not done yet.”

Prop Luke Page had National Rugby League stints with the Canberra Raiders and St George Illawarra Dragons. – raiderspic

Asked why he had decided to call it a day at the end of the season, the forward said: “I play with passion, and my body is a bit battered and bruised.
“I’ve got a sore groin and sore feet.
“Having my son four weeks ago sealed the deal for me to spend time at home.
“I’m happy about doing it (retiring).
“I’m not sad about it.
“I think if I went another year I would’ve been a bit of a passenger, so I think I’m retiring at the right time.”
The ISC premiership winner was signed by Canberra in 2015 but he failed to make his debut for the Raiders before a mid-season switch saw him make his National Rugby League (NRL) debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons.

“ I played in a World Cup and won against some high-quality teams, especially (the 2019 28-10 home win over) Great Britain. That was a memorable day for us.”
Papua New Guinea international Luke Page says his most memorable representative moment was the Kumuls’ 2019 28-10 home win over Great Britain.

Unfortunately, Page’s NRL career and debut lasted just 12 minutes.
“It has been a tough career,” said the 2014 ISC player of the year, who scored 22 tries across 133 games. I went down to Canberra and that didn’t work out.
“St George didn’t work out either. I got chewed up and spat out a bit, so I found Burleigh my home.
“Like I said, I’m happy about retiring.
“I’ve had a really good career in the Intrust Super Cup.”
Asked what it was like to play for PNG, Page said: “PNG are unreal.
“I think I played about 12 Tests for them.
“I played in a World Cup and won against some high-quality teams, especially (the 2019 28-10 home win over) Great Britain.
“That was a memorable day for us.”