Visas delay nines team departure to Cairns

 By TONY PALME KIP

DESPITE travel delays, the Lakwaharu Rugby Nines team from Hiri, Central, are set on playing well at the Cairns Edmonton Storm Super 9s selection trials this month.

The team was scheduled to fly out last Saturday and play their first game on arrival but missed it due to visa delays.

Coach Moses Matuka said the team of 30 players and officials would fly out tomorrow (Thursday) and play their first match on Friday night.

“The delay and missing one match has not let the boys down. 

“They still have a lot of chances to make an impression during the trials.

“They have trained well and are focused to play the remaining matches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“We’ll have a media briefing before we leave the country,” Matuka said.

Hiri Rugby League chairman Mickey Kone confirmed the visa delay, adding that everything was being sorted out and they expect to fly out tomorrow.

The team have already met all their travel costs and confirmed accommodation for their stay in Cairns.

Through fundraising, they have raised K30,000 and received a sponsorship boost of K20,000 from league patron Kairuku Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo last Friday.

Isoaimo joined the coach, chairman and other team officials in wishing the boys luck and expressed confidence they would play their best football to impress scouts.