FROM HAGEN LEAGUE TO HUNTERS CAMP

BY Benjamin KOITAKA
GRADUATED out of Solo Eels to the PNG Hunters camp, Manuel Anis is another beginner, learning the traits of what it takes to be a Hunter and how he could earn a debut card in the Queensland Hosplus Cup competition this season.
Born and raised outside of the main township of Mt. Hagen in the Western Highlands province, the Moge-Akelika-man is yet again another finest product in the making out of the Mt. Hagen rugby league competition, to go on and rub shoulders with handful of best local talents in the Hunters program.
This specialist forward’s rugby league journey is short piece of story, nevertheless, wearing his heart of the sleeve to give everything he has on the tanks to make the Hunters final squad and continue his career on success note.
Standing at around more than 175cm with monstruous 108kilograms, Anis is a man-mountain, yet, he knows very well there is no easy way in to the team as competition amongst the forwards in the camp is at intense to see who makes the final cut.
“I’m give 100 % plus to all my trainings,” Anis told media.
“You know, we are competition amongst ourselves in the camp, to make the final cut.
“Senior and experienced forwards in the camp, so what I’m doing is, giving my best shots everyday.”
Playing for his local club, Anis was selected to be part of a Western Highlands-side went to Agmark Rugby League Nine’s tournament in Wewak back in 2022 where his performance, complemented with size and speed never went unnoticed by Lae Snax Tigers.
“I started my journey with the local club Solo Eels in the Mt. Hagen league before selected to play in the Agmark 9s.
“I was then scouted by the Lae Snax Tigers and did play for the club, last season.
Anis is thankful of the opportunity thrown at him to being part of the Hunters 2025 season train-and-trail deal.