Wives follow in hubbies’ footsteps

By JACK AMI
SAB City Raiders pair Angela Hoki and Mary Paru-Pirika just so happen to play the same positions as their husbands in rugby league.
In sports, siblings playing together is common but not common is husbands and wives playing the same sport and same positions.
Hoki plays fullback just like her husband Junior Hoki who wears the No.1 jersey for Raiders in the Moresby South Rugby League (MSRL) and Moresby South Blacks in the Southern Super League (SSL) tier-two competition.
He is also part of the Hela Wigmen squad in the Digicel Cup.
Paru-Pirika is a halfback like her husband Samson Pirika, who plays for Kaugere Seagulls in the MSRL and Laumas in the SSL.
Pirika is also part of Gulf Isou in the Digicel Cup.
For Hoki and Paru-Pirika to follow the footsteps of their partners is about understanding rugby league as a vehicle for personal development and one that helps maintain their relationships.

“Many people can think negative about us playing rugby league but this is not the case as this is our own choice and freedom to play,” Hoki said.
The pair wear the same numbers that their husbands wear – No.1 and No.7.
“We are aware our partners wear these numbers and we are proud and respect them,” Angela said. There is understanding with our hubbies so we are playing rugby league for fitness and health.”
There is mutual respect between the husband and wives with both couples focused on playing well and making representative sides.
Hoki is an electrifying touch footballer who has speed and a side step that can get her past defences and put her in try scoring positions or allow her to set up teammates.
She has won premierships in touch for her local club and also represented Corporate Touch Port Moresby in the national championships.
Paru-Pirika may be small but is a tenacious defender who revels in the contact and enjoys her first receiver role and directing play for her forwards and outside backs.
All agree that having their significant other also playing the sport means there is understanding about the game and each partner appreciates the commitment it takes to play rugby league. Both men said they gave tips to their wives on how to play better and other areas to work on to improve their games.
“These are key positions and we play them, so we can give them advice about how to play better,” Junior said.
“I coach Angela to know her roles and tasks and play smart, especially when linking up with her outside backs and also anticipate kicks and be in position to take them.
“We also encourage and promote gender equality, freedom of movement and freedom of speech so our partners involve themselves.”

Paru-Pirika, 26, is from Milne Bay, Central and Northern while 23-year-old Hoki has Central and Morobe heritage.
Both said they enjoyed the game but losing the grand final 12-8 to Two-Mile United was disappointing but they were eager to keep playing and getting better in order to taste success in the future.
“We gave it our best but opposition had several experience players who helped them get the win,” Paru-Pirika said.
“Our captain Flora Yanu, Hannah Tu’u, Hernie Weki and rest of the unit all tried hard to match the opposition but our performance under pressure was something that let us down in the end.
“We were underdogs and nervous but went out there to prove that we can make it but unfortunately we lost to a better side.”