Urakusie playing on

By PARKER TAMBUA
VETERAN Goroka Lahanis prop Gonzella Urakusie says he may consider playing on for the club next year despite announcing his retirement during this year’s Digicel Cup season.
The former SP Hunter told The National yesterday that he wanted to finish on a high note in 2020 but was spurred on to play after the club’s poor finish this season which saw it miss out on the finals.
“I planned to retire at the end of the year with a good season but the way we (Lahanis) finished was not satisfying,” said the 32-yearold who has played in three grand finals for the Bintangor-sponsored franchise winning two of them.
“I want to finish on a high note. So I’m thinking, during the offseason I will continue with my training and see how my body feels.
“I don’t think it will be an issue if I want to continue playing next season.”
Urakusie, who is a teacher by profession and hails from Seigu village in Goroka, said he felt for his younger teammates who had struggled this year and wanted to continue to lead them if his body was up for another season.
“By assessing how we (Lahanis) played this year, I still think we need someone to lead and I feel that I have to be there.”
Urakusie said his presence in the Lahanis side would not just be for show but that he would expect to have an impact and keep up with the pace of the game.
“I know that if I had to continue playing, then I must not be a liability just being present on the field,” he said.
“But I have to be fit and set to impact our game.
“I hope that we maintain stability and keep the bulk of our current squad for next season. And if all is well then I will be happy to continue one more season.”
Urakusie played just five games out of the 11 regular season rounds. He was appointed as an interim coach and did play in the other six games.