Paraka consolidates spot

 By HENRY MORABANG

PAPUA New Guinea’s Pettowa Paraka, pictured, has confirmed his spot in the 37-man Queensland Reds senior squad for the upcoming 2016 Super Rugby season.

The Baiyer River lad is one of the eight members of the Red’s elite development squad won promotion to the club’s senior ranks for the new season 

The 23-year old Western Highlander was among those players who claimed back-to-back titles in the National Rugby Championship with Brisbane City, including props Sef Fa’agase, and Sam Talakai, flanker Adam Korczyk and flyhalf Jake McIntyre.

All five made their Super Rugby debuts for the Reds in the 2015 season and were crucial to City’s success of the last two seasons.

In addition to the high-profile signings of Kane Douglas, Ayumu Goromaru, Cadeyrn Neville and NRL winger Eto Nabuli – the Reds also spent the off-season promoting from within the ranks of Queensland Rugby’s pathways with flyhalf Sam Greene and outside backs Junior Laloifi and Izaia Perese earning contracts following their performances in Queensland Premier Rugby and the NRC.

They are joined by Australian Under-20 lock Lukhan Tui, who grew up in Sydney.

In all, 20 players were retained from the 2015 Super Rugby squad, 11 of whom were off contract and re-signed with the Reds, including Wallabies Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, James Slipper and Liam Gill.

Paraka told The National that he was part of the senior squad but on a different contract and he was hoping to make the most of any opportunities since captain Slipper would be out for a portion of the season after having shoulder surgery.

He said he would compete with loose-head prop Ben Daley for the starting No. 1 position – but he was sure to add onto his five games from his debut season this year.

Paraka was excited about the opportunity and it was time now to put in the “hard yards” during the pre-season to prepare for the February.