Redcliffe Dolphins back Elara wants to make Kumuls following father’s footsteps

REDCLIFFE Dolphins back Samuel Elara says he wants to follow in the footsteps of his dad Mathew, who is a former Papua New Guinea Kumuls forward.
Samuel made his Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) debut with the Dolphins against Central Queensland Capras in round 12 at Brown Park in Rockhampton earlier this month.
“I would love to follow in my dad’s footsteps and play for my country,” he told The National.
The Southern Highlander said playing in the ISC was a step towards achieving his goal of playing for the national rugby league team.
Prior to his debut, the Kagua native played at centre in Redcliffe’s Under-21 side.
“I was lucky to be named in the Dolphins’ ISC side,” Samuel said.
“I was born in Australia. My dad is from Southern Highlands and my mum is an Aboriginal woman, so I have a nice little mix.
“I played my junior footy in Toowoomba. I played for Newtown at the age of eight and then I joined Eagles U12s and all the way up to A-Grade before I joined Redcliffe’s U21 side.” Samuel said his short-term goal was to play each week and be consistent.
Kumul No.129 Mathew played for Lae Bombers in 1990 when he earned selection into the national team who played New Zealand on home soil.