Tu’u flies flag for Gulf league

 By PETER SEVARA JR

ON January 19 2007, The National featured an article titled “PNG crocodiles are disappearing”.

The title seems may seem like an environmental issue and the following sentences also agree. Only until nearing the end, however, one would piece it together. It is not animals we are talking about but the race of people that are associated to it in terms of Sports like Rugby League. 

The feature lamented the lack of representative players from Gulf origin and mentioned names like (former Kumuls) Kavora Posu, Eka Fae, Mahuru Paul Tore, Jack Metta, Sukope Iko, James Miviri, Kaiva Kako, Farapo Malala, Kepi Saea, Roy Heni, Bobby Ako, Clement Mou, half croc Mark Mom, Tuksy Karu and the Kouoru brothers Gideon, Haoda and Joshua.

What happened after Kouoru Brothers and Tuksy Karu? Well after long wait, Lawrence Tu’u happened. 

The young Moveave and Uritai in Gulf Province and Hula in Central province lad came in when we thought the crocs had not hatched any eggs. 

The nephew of former West players Alu Poka, the lad after completing grade 12 in 2010 at Kilakila Secondary School in Kaugere, Port Moresby, put his whole life into sports playing the hooker and backrow for Digicel Cup team, Gulf Isapea. 

His determination paid off and the long wait was gone when he got a selection into the Q-Cup squad. Obviously spectators miss the flair and the loftiness of the boys from Gulf.

The eldest of three siblings, Tu’u (pictured) said he was privileged and inspired by former Kumuls in the likes of Mark Mom, Alu Poka, Nigel Hukula and Tuksy Karu. 

His former teammate at Toks Mix Dogs and Wests, Brandy Peter is also part of the Q-Cup squad. 

Both came through the same ranks until Brandy pulled back due to academic reasons but finally met up at the Q-Cup level.

Tu’u built like Alu Poka in his heydays said being part of the team was training him to perform above expectations. 

He is looking forward to his stint at representative level but said he wanted to find his feet after footy, which is going back to school.