PNG Test prop bound for England next week

Test prop Rodney Pora will touchdown in Whitehaven on Monday – and go straight in to contention for the following weekend’s trip to Hunslet.

Rodney Pora

Pora will arrive at Newcastle, via Brisbane and Dubai, and train with his new team-mates the next day, bringing to an end a saga lasting months.

“We are delighted it has finally come to a conclusion and his visa has been issued,” said chief executive Barry Richardson.

“He’s really keen to come and is looking forward to getting started. Rodney is a strong-running, hard-tackling international and will add a lot to our squad.”

Pora featured recently for Papua New Guinea in Australia, so is unlikely to lack match fitness.

“He is training with his current club and played for Papua New Guinea against South Sydney a couple of weeks ago,” added Richardson, who is hoping Sunday’s dismal 46-8 defeat at Dewsbury was a one-off.

“The team are obviously a lot better than they showed at Dewsbury. If the lads perform to their potential, we should have a reasonable squad and be competitive in this competition.

“We just have to put Sunday behind us and move forward in a positive manner.”

Pora, who is set to feature for PNG in the World Cup this autumn, had to wait until he completed his international duties in Australia before applying for a visa.

News and Star