Tony promotes Sipa name in rugby union

By ZEDAAIAH KANAU
ALMOST every boy growing up in the highlands dreams of wearing the PNG Kumul jumper one day.
For Tony Sipa, 24, coming from a well-known rugby league family where his uncle Joe had made a name for himself, it was a daunting task trying to emulate, let alone fill the massive shoes of his uncle.
So he tried his hand at something else – representing the country in rugby union.
“I was formerly known as Tony Joe (nephew of that famous Joe) but because my uncle had reached so much success in the sport of rugby league, I wanted to emulate him and follow in his footsteps – but in another code.”
Tony is the eldest of four children from Tabare village in Sinasina, Chimbu.
Uncle Joe Sipa represented the PNG Kumuls in the early 2000 before coaching the Port Moresby Vipers. He remains a well-known and respected member of the PNG rugby league fraternity.
Tony’s interest in rugby union began in 2012 when he was in his Year 11 at the Kopkop College in Port Moresby.

“ I was formerly known as Tony Joe but because my uncle had reached so much success in the sport of rugby league, I wanted to emulate him and follow in his footsteps – but in another code.”

“One of my classmates asked me if I wanted to join their team (University Piggies). So I followed him to their training. In 2012, we reached the Grand Final. We played against the Valley Hunters and lost.
“We met them again in 2013 in the semi-final. We didn’t progress into the finals.”
Tony was determined to play in the A-Grade and Premier division after his outstanding performances the previous years.
In 2014, he joined the Brother Rugby Union club which was celebrating its 40th anniversary. He continued his good and consistent form which saw him steadily rising o the top.
In 2016, he was selected to play for Team NCD in the Export national provincial championship.
“After the national provincial championship, I was selected for the Pukpuks train-on squad for the Hong Kong tour but did not make the team. I wanted to give up rugby because all my hard work had not paid off. But a thought came to me that I must not give up. I must continue until I wear that Pukpuks jersey.”
Tony’s performance in the 2018 and 2019 Capital Rugby Union season where his Brothers team won back-to-back premierships warranted his selection for the Pukpuks.
Tony recently made his international debut for the PNG Pukpuks at the 2019 Oceania cup against Nauru. He wore the Number One jersey as a prop and managed to score two tries.
He remains in the Pukpuks train-on squad to prepare for tours next year.
Looking back, he is glad he did not give up when not selected for the national team in 2016.
The never-say-die spirit keeps him going. And the Sipa legacy lives on.