Recruit tackles culture change
IT WAS the opportunity to experience something new that enticed Moses Meninga to the Townsville Blackhawks.
The Papua New Guinean giant is already at home and ready to take the North Queensland outfit to greater heights in 2020.
The imposing lock brings a stacked resume to his new side, complete with international outings for the Kumuls and an Intrust Super Cup premiership with the PNG Hunters.
But the idea of a fresh start excited the Kuiya Village product, who believes the change could be the catalyst for an NRL pursuit.
“It’s not about just staying in PNG, I wanted to explore a new culture and how people live,” Meninga said.
“I wanted to get around a new environment and a new set of boys to see what it’s like to be outside PNG.
“You go through different stages and develop in different areas when you’re not in the same cultures and the same place.
“I think I might have the opportunity to play (with) some of the best boys … who have that experience in the NRL. I think that will help me improve.”
There are few places that spark such passion for rugby league than Meninga’s home nation.
The raptures of the crowd each time he took the field was electric, but from what he has seen of Townsville, the “spirit is the same”.
Round two of this year’s Intrust Super Cup will pit the Blackhawks against the Hunters in Port Moresby where Meninga holds some great football memories.
In November last year the PNG Kumuls claimed a historic 28-10 win against the Great Britain Lions – a performance that inspired manic scenes from the home fans.
This will be the first time Meninga lines up on the other side of the fence.
But he hoped with himself and fellow Kumul Kyle Laybutt in the Blackhawks lineup they could be in for a more docile reception than most touring parties face.
“It’s always like that when you play footy back in PNG, whether it’s a Test match or not, the crowd is always the same,” Meninga said.
“When we got a win against Great Britain they said there should be a public holiday, even the Prime Minister said they could do whatever (they wanted).”
Meninga’s arrival at Jack Manski Oval is expected to bolster a forward pack that already includes plenty of size and NRL experience.
He will enter a battle with young firebrand Tom Gilbert for the starting lock spot if the Cowboys-contracted star returns to the Blackhawks when the NRL allocations come out this month.