Pandia giddy about UK experience

 HE’S been one of the most consistence forwards in the Digicel Cup for the past three years but Sebastian Pandia admitted he was a little nervous heading into his first World Cup.

“I’m a nervous and excited at the same time but looking forward to it (World Cup),” Pandia said of his first Kumul tour.

The Port Moresby Vipers backrower isn’t the most imposing player at 177cm and 94kg but has forged a reputation for having a high workrate and on defence and as a quality metre-gainer.

Pandia represented the PNG Resident Kumuls in 2011 in a two-match series against Fiji – drawn 1-1 at home.

He said the experience ffrom that series and his time with the team Kumuls set up during the Kumu Camps this year as well as the trial match and the Prime Minister’s XIII match this year had put him in good stead for the trip to England.

The Southern Highlander admitted the cooler temperatures might get some getting used but he said he wouldn’t let that faze him much.

“I’ve played against Fiji and the Australian PM’s XIII and it was different but I learned from the games. After playing against theses guys I know what to expect and I know where I need to improve and I’ll just be doing my best to help the team win.”