By GABRIEL KATUHO
“MY preferred position is halfback, I’ve never played the Digicel Cup league, I just came straight from the Zones Trials when I played with the NGI Zone that caught the attention of Coach Paul Aiton who watched my game and called me in.
“I went through the preseason; however, I did not make it to the final 30-man squad.”
These were the words of 24-year-old Zechariah Selu, who is one of Hunters fringe players.
Zachariah completed his secondary education at VunaBosco Agro-Technical Secondary School in East New Britain and was selected to do a diploma in business management at ITI Badili.
He then went back home and took one year off to play rugby league.
While playing rugby with his local club Rabaul Panthers, Selu was selected into the NGI Zone squad to compete with other zones in Port Moresby.
While playing at the Santos National Football Stadium, he caught the attention of Hunters Coach Paul Aiton, who directly called him to join the Hunters camp.
Selu also made it to the Kumuls squad but due to his age, was left out.
He was 23 so was not considered as they were selecting 20 years and below.
“When they told me for the first time, I was excited and told my mom because she always supports me in all my games,” Selu said.
He is adapting into the environment and has learnt a lot from Coach Aiton and the other coaching staff, including captain Ila Alu and some senior players.
Getting advice from Watson Boas has been a bonus for him, he says.
Selu had the trial match with the Gulf Isou playing with Jamie Mavoko, which he described was a tough game but they managed to win.
Their second trial match was with the Croton Hela Wigman which gave them another win.
“Mavoko has taught me a lot as a fullback, playing alongside him and getting all the little things in perspective was a privilege as I tried my best to get the combination right,” he said.
Selu is from a mixed parentage of East New Britain, Central (Koiari) and Jiwaka.
“My role models were the Ase brothers because back home when I started playing, they were with the Gurias and I was playing with the Royals,” he said. “They were at times coaching and teaching us so when their career in rugby league was successful, we wanted to follow the same pathway.”
Having the intention to play for the Gurias, he never thought he would skipped the Digicel cup to make it to Hunters train on squad, but after the Zone game, he was shocked to get a call from the Hunters Coach Paul Aiton.
Like most of the players who made it to the Hunters and Kumuls from Digicel Cup Competitions, Selu’s story is one that gives hope to the young ones.
He said a long journey can be a one step closer if love for the sport is guided with perseverance, self-discipline and commitment as a driving tool.
