The SP PNG Hunters had around 50 players at the start of pre-season and cut down their squad to 30 members when the team launched their 2024 Hotplus Cup campaign.
The preseason included contracted players and train and trial players, not many get this opportunity, especially those that play outside of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.
But the rugby league talent in PNG remains to be raw and widespread, with the limited pathways available to get to the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, many ply their trade in the local leagues hoping for a shot at the Zone trials to get the attention of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup sides.
But for few that play in the local leagues and have caught the attention of the Coaches in the Hunters, jump straight to the Hunters from the local leagues.
Zachariah Selu is one of those players that impressed Hunters Coach Paul Aiton during the Zone Trials in Port Moresby last year, earning himself a spot in the Hunters preseason.
Selu is 24 years old and was playing for his local club, the Rabaul Panthers in East New Britain and was selected to the Islands Zone, playing in the zone trials Selu impressed SP PNG Hunters Coach Paul Aiton and was given a train and trial with the Hunters, he managed to make the final cut after going through a grueling pre-season.
Young Zachariah Selu is yet to break into the starting lineup but he has shown great potential to get this far in preseason and says this opportunity has greatly improved his game as he looks forward to a debut in the Hotplus Cup.