For sale: Raw PNG player with a future
November 11, 2008 FOR sale: Rugby league player with huge potential.
Papua New Guinea coach Adrian Lam has done everything short of advertising in the Trading Post and on eBay to try to secure young Kumul centre prospect Anton Kui a professional offer to help develop his career.
The 24 year-old, rated by Lam an exceptional talent, made his Test debut against Australia in the World Cup last weekend.
Both he and young Titans winger David Moore - whose professionalism and commitment have become a benchmark for the next generation of players, have emerged as two of PNG's big hopes for the future.
But while Moore is highly regarded and secure in the Titans NRL system, Kui headed home this week to play for the Bingtangor Lahain.
Lam believes he needs to be with an Australian club to develop his near unlimited potential.
He reckons that with the right coaching and training Kui could eventually become PNG's version of Israel Folau, a player the next generation of youngsters could aspire to follow.
"I think he's got a huge future," said Lam after his Test debut.
"Some of the stuff he does at training is unbelievable compared to the NRL boys we coach at the (Sydney) Roosters.
"If somebody could grab hold of him, who knows what he could do in one or two years."
Lam wasn't going to play Kui against Australia because he's still very raw.
But he couldn't resist seeing him up against the world's best.
"He didn't have a great game but he didn't get many chances either," said Lam.
Kui is a mini Folau given he's only 85kg and 183cm compared to the giant young Australian three-quarter who measures up at 195cm and 103kgs.
But Lam, who helped orchestrate Queensland's 3-0 Origin series clean sweep of NSW in 1995 and who played seven seasons with the Roosters in the NRL, has a sharp eye for talent.
"Of all the time I've been involved in footy I've seen a lot of talented players," he said.
"He's got exceptionally light feet, great balance, he's tall with a good reach and fend.
"He runs great lines and can defend.
"I'd love to see him in a full time system, and I reckon in 12 months to two years he'd be as good as anyone playing in the NRL."
With all those skills he could well be a real bargain.
