Young half gets chance

The National Sports

By MICHAEL PHILIP
NEW Guinea Islands confederate halfback Zechariah Selu has been named in the final 30-man squad for the SP PNG Hunters in preparation for the 2024 season.
Without a game at the Digicel Cup level, the inexperienced Selu was selected straight from the zone trials while playing for the NGI side last year.
Selu, 24, told The National that his selection was “unbelievable and unreal” despite successfully completing block one and two of the Hunters preseason training.
“My selection into the final 30-man squad was unreal to me,” he said.
“When I was a kid, I always watched the Hunters play at Kalabond Oval in Kokopo, that motivated me to play rugby.
“Making it into the Hunters squad is everyone’s dream and for me to be selected into the final 30-man squad is unreal and unbelievable.
“Coming into preseason and then getting selected for the second block of preseason and finally making it into the final cut, everything is just ureal.
“I can’t stop thinking about it that I made it into the PNG Hunters. Glory and honour back to our good Lord.”
Selu commended the efforts of experienced campaigners in the likes of head coach Paul Aiton, Wartovo Puara Junior, Brandon Nima and reappointed captain Ila Alu for their tireless support in grooming and shaping the newcomers in camp.”
He said their assistance and support on and off the field had helped him improve in his game as a young halfback and would love to build more confidence from them going forward into season 2024.
“I’ve learnt a lot from Ila, coach Aiton, Puara and Nima,” he said on the weekend.
“They’ve been really helping me and encouraging me to make improvements every training session.
“My mind has been blowing up learning new stuff and also I am still eager to continue learning more because I believe that will help me improve my game,” said Selu.
The playmaker from Seaside Mero (SSM) in Rabaul started his rugby league career back in 2016 while playing for Warangoi High School in the schoolboys’ competition before being scouted to join the NGI confederate in 2017.
Using the Boas brothers as his inspiration, Selu’s style and competitive spirit earned him a spot in the NGI squad since 2017 while also featuring for his local club Rabaul Panthers.
The son of former Gulf Isou head coach Norris Selu said his goal this season was to play well and help the team secure a finals spot in the Hostplus Cup this year.