Sailor hails progress

By PARKER TAMBUA
FORMER Australian Kangaroos and Queensland Maroons winger Wendell Sailor says Papua New Guinea rugby league has improved a lot since the SP Hunters’ 2014 debut in the Intrust Super Cup.
The Brisbane and St George legend told The National on Sunday that the PNG Kumuls’ historic win over the visiting British Lions last month was evidence of the Hunters’ impact on the country.
“I think PNG rugby league has improved big time over the last four years,” the 45-year-old former dual code international said.
“Seeing players like (Melbourne Storm centre Justin) Olam coming through and having an impact in the NRL shows that PNG has a lot of potential. How the Kumuls beat Great Britain a couple of weeks ago was great for this country.
“With players coming through the Hunters system, they will always be a tough side.”
Sailor said despite their worst campaign last season, the Hunters had shown a lot of positives with some of their players stepping up for the Kumuls in their win over the Wayne Bennett-coached Lions. He said the Hunters would only get better in the long run.
Meanwhile, Sailor was in Port Moresby last weekend to promote the SP Larger Beach Cricket.
The event saw players from the Hunters and national cricket teams (men and women) engaging with communities.