Undupie following in his dad’s footsteps

By PARKER TAMBUA
FORMER Mendi Muruks back Thomas Undupie says he is thrilled to see his son, winger and try-scoring machine Leon, continue their family legacy at the Digicel Cup club.
Thomas is a pioneer of the club which joined the country’s premier rugby league competition in 1990 when it was known as the SP Cup.
The one-club legend, from Yakena village in Ialibu, Southern Highlands, played with the Muruks for 12 seasons before he retired in the early 2000s.
His younger brother, Joe, also joined him at the Muruks a few years later.
Some of Thomas’ highlights were his 1995, 1996 and 1998 grand final appearances against Lae Bombers, Simbu Warriors and Mt Hagen Eagles respectively.
The Muruks only won one of those grand finals, which was an 11-10 victory against the Warriors at the Lae Rugby League Ground.
Thomas told The National last week that he wanted Leon to do better than him and push for selection into the SP Hunters or Papua New Guinea Kumuls.
“I guess I sort of inspired Leon to play rugby league,” he said.
“In fact, Leon wasn’t even born yet when I played for the Muruks.
“He only heard stories of me and his uncle Joe of our Muruks days.
“I’m thrilled that he is playing some great rugby league at the moment.”
The Petroleum Resources Kutubu-sponsored Muruks are in second spot after eight rounds of the 2021 Digicel Cup season with Leon having a knack for finding the tryline in crucial moments of the game.
“He seems to be on fire and keeps scoring tries in every game, which is impressive,” Thomas said.
“I would love to see him go up another level in his rugby league career. It’ll be great if he does.
“Any father who has played rugby league would love to see his son represent the country.
“But it all depends on Leon himself, he has to work hard and make sacrifices in order to achieve greater things in rugby league.”
Leon, who is 21 years old, only completed Grade 10 at Mt Diamond Secondary School in Central in 2018.
The Muruks’ 2021 leading try scorer is yet to complete his secondary education due to his club commitments.
“He took up rugby league in 2019,” Thomas said of his son.
“But I’ve told to him to make up his mind and enrol in Flexible Open and Distance Education to upgrade his marks and continue his education while playing.”
Thomas, who is also a former coach of the club, said Leon went from a high school Muruks supporter to a regular starter for the franchise.
“When I coached the side in 2018, Leon used to cheer on players like Dickson Pipi, Julius Yakopa and Warren Glare, and now he is living his dream as a Muruk alongside them,” he said.
Thomas, now the president of Ialibu Rugby League, said he wanted the Muruks to break their 13-year title drought and win the Digicel Cup this season.