Raiders snare Baptiste

Sports
Kumuls coach Marum hails PNG rake’s determination

By PARKER TAMBUA
KUMULS coach Michael Marum has praised the determination of Kurt Baptiste after the Papua New Guinea hooker joined Canberra for the remainder of the National Rugby League (NRL) season.
The 29-year-old succumbed to a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury in PNG’s 6-24 Oceania Cup loss to Samoa in Sydney last year.
At the time, the former Brisbane and Sydney Roosters rake was on a one-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys, who told him late in the season that his deal would not be extended.
With no offers from other NRL clubs, Baptiste joined the Easts Tigers this year but the Queensland Intrust Super Cup was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
But Baptiste has now been thrown an NRL lifeline with a season-ending injury to Canberra’s first-choice hooker Josh Hodgson and back-up rake Siliva Havili yet to prove himself as an 80-minute player.
Marum told The National yesterday that he was hopeful the Souths Logan Magpies product would declare his availability for the Kumuls heading into next year’s Rugby League World Cup in England.
“It’s great to see Baptiste back in the NRL again,” he said.
“He has worked really hard for a return to the NRL and I think he deserves the call-up from Canberra.
“But we will respect whatever decision he makes in the future, regarding his international representation.
“When he was injured last year, we held a fundraiser for him and Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas was the main contributor (with K10,000).
“The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League and a few individuals also made contributions before we presented the funds to him when the SP Hunters travelled to Townsville to play the Blackhawks.”
Meanwhile, according to The Canberra Times, Baptiste will join the Raiders squad once he has cleared the NRL’s stringent Project Apollo protocols.
Canberra recruitment boss Peter Mulholland said Baptiste, who played for last year’s runners-up between 2014 and 2017, would bring valuable experience to the squad.
“Kurt is a talented hooker who has a proven record with the club,” Mulholland told The Canberra Times.
“He will provide our squad with experience and depth in a key position.
“We’re really happy to have him back at the club for the remainder of the year and we’re looking forward to him joining the squad as soon as he can.”
Meanwhile, ladder leaders Panthers host the fifth-placed Raiders in round 13 of the NRL at Penrith Stadium on Saturday (7.35pm kick-off). – The Canberra Times

12 comments

  • Good and am delighted Kurt Baptiste is able to play again. Thank you raiders.
    GO THE RAIDERS!!!.

  • Its a relieve feeling for me as a Kumuls fan. We need to have more players to have more game time in NRL to prepare for the up coming world cup soon. Go Baptize and Raiders.

  • Kurt, Congratulatios you are back to the Raiders to fill in that very important role Josh plays. You are as good as Josh. We the die hard supporters of the Raiders will support the Team and Ricky all the way to the Finals despite all the injuries.

    Yes we are looking at the ”Big One” again in 2020.

    Go Raiders lets do it this time!!!

  • Great News for Kurt & Biiiiiiig Blessings for Kumul to have a flying White Kumul. Thank You Raiders.

  • It’s a great news for me as a rugby league fan and to see him in Kumuls 9 Jersey

  • Rugby has been in the country for a very long time. There are some other sports which have also been in the country for long too. I believe each code has its procedures and protocol to follow. With regards to rugby, especially with injuries, when one is on national duty and suffers an injury, if it is minor injury may be first aid is applied and that is fair enough.

    1. For major or permanent injuries, that require specialize operations or support, overseas referrals, long term care, etc, is PNGNRL able to look after them?
    2. Are they adequately covered in terms of medical insurance?
    3. Do the players fully understand the risk when they are playing and the limit of Medicare they are covered in the event they sustain different levels of injuries?
    4. Are they compensated fairly and accordingly?
    5. Is there a written consent signed before individual represents country and if there is, are they fully aware of what they are signing and its implications? Implied consent and verbal consent are not appropriate.
    6. Are parents or spouses of players to some extent made clear and understand implications of rugby injuries?

    I commend some of our Overseas based players who sacrifice themselves, family and time to represent our country in the likes of Kurt Baptiste. According to the above news of Sir Action Peter Ipatas donating K10 000 with others contributing some monies to have him undergo his operation, is this the precedent that players like him and of course our local national reps will follow with regards to asking for donations? On the positive note, I commend the good governor, who has infinite heart for rugby. There are suppose to be pool of money parked for injuries sustained for international duties. It is a shame and discouragement when we can not adequately serve and safe guard their welfare.

    May I ask someone in the PNGNRL fraternity to deliberate for the players’, relatives’ and public’s consumption.

    Thank you

  • Thank you Raiders Recruitment Team for taking our Kurt Baptist on board and give him the NRL Lifeline..

    Go Baptist! Go Raiders!

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