Storm legend Nikau to be guest of Isapea

 By JACK AMI

FORMER Kiwis captain and National Rugby League star Tewara Nikau (pictured) will be guest speaker at the PRK Prima Gulf Isapea corporate dinner in Port Moresby tomorrow.

Nikau had stints in NRL with with Cronulla Sharks and Melbourne Storm and has since retired from playing.

He is an idol to many Papua New Guinean players.

Nikau was born in Huntly, New Zealand. He began his career playing rugby league for the Otara Scorpions and rugby union for the East Tamaki Rugby Union club in Auckland before his family moved to the Waikato.

Having already spent several seasons playing in England, during which time he earned representative honours for his country, from 1996 to 1999, Nikau played in the Australian NRL, spending the 1996-1997 with the Cronulla Sharks, losing the 1997 Super League Grand Final to the Broncos in Brisbane. He joined the Melbourne Storm team in its 1998 inaugural year, helping the team reach a third place finish in the minor premiership. Melbourne also did well the following season and Nikau played at lock forward in the 1999 NRL Grand Final victory over the St. George-Illawarra Dragons. Nikau’s performance has been credited with sparking Melbourne’s second-half comeback.[5] From 1999 to 2001, Nikau was under contract with Super League franchise, the Warrington Wolves.

Nikau’s presence will inspire young Isapea players to emulate one of the best players the rugby league world has seen as they prepare for the Digicel Cup round 12 clash against a revamped Mount Hagen Eagles in Port Moresby.

Major sponsors PRK, Prima, Gulf politicians and the business community have been caledl to support the franchise, the pride of Gulf and the Papua region.

Tickets for tables of 10 cost K8,000 and are available by contacting 72988012 or email: [email protected].

This is the first major fundraising drive to support the Gulf franchise. 

Part of the proceeds will go towards the Well Women Clinic in support of the prevention of cervical cancer.