NRL has more to learn from PNG, says Maitua

By ROBINSON LEKA
FORMER Australian and Samoan international Reni Maitua says the National Rugby League (NRL) has a lot to learn from Papua New Guinea’s rich culture in the sport.
Maitua, 37, a retired rugby league player who played first grade with the Canterbury Bulldogs, Parramatta Eels and the Cronulla Sharks, was in the country last week for an announcement by the NRL to host a pre-season trial in Port Moresby.
“I think that this is a fantastic initiative not only by the NRL but by the Sharks and Bulldogs to bringing a game here,” he said.
“We know how much the people of PNG love rugby league. It’s important for us to visit the people, spread the good message of the game and learn about our neighbours. I’ve been to Kavieng. Three years now I’ve been up there with Steve Pike, who is the wellbeing officer at the Bulldogs, and we’ve done some community work there.
“We’ve built some schools, community halls, we’ve visited the schools around there promoting healthy living and rugby league.
“We get just as much out of it as the kids and we’re very grateful to come to PNG and meet the people and see the beautiful culture.
“Something we are lacking in Australia and I encourage the players to be sending more players from every club here and to see how much PNG love rugby league.”
Maitua said the rise of the SP Hunters had boosted PNG’s competitiveness on the international stage and he was confident that more players from the country would break into the NRL.