Tallon Smith
Albury Thunder five-eighth Paul Karaitiana admits he didn’t know much about the Kelly Cup before receiving a call from Group 9 coach Blake Dunn, but is honoured to be the club’s sole representative in the clash at Yenda next weekend.
The Keebra Park product and former Bulldogs lower grade player has been selected to partner Gundagai premiership-winning halfback Derek Hay in the Gladiators line-up after two strong seasons on the border that included Group 9 Team of the Year selection last year.
Given that the fixture has not been played since 2022, Karaitiana said that he had little knowledge of the concept before the call, but is both appreciative of and excited about the opportunity in front of him.
“I wasn’t really too sure what the actual game was, I’ve never played in it, so I wasn’t expecting much, but I [was] pretty grateful and humbled to receive the call,” he said.
“It feels pretty good, there’s a lot of talented players in this Group, so I’m just pretty honoured to feature in it.
“It’s always a pleasure representing Albury Thunder, [and] I think a few other boys could have made it, they have potential, but [I’m] just excited now to see what Group 20 has.”
As the only player from the Border club selected in the side, and with very little knowledge on his opponents, the match is new territory for the Thunder playmaker.
Karaitiana said the thing he is looking forward to most is taking the field with the competition’s most talented players and the prospect of forming a damaging left-side combination with three powerful ball-runners.
“Just getting to know the other boys and getting our combinations right ahead of the game […] that’s probably the most exciting thing, [after] obviously playing against them and knowing [how good they are],” he said.
“We’ve only had one [session], but it went for about two and a half hours so it was pretty long, but it was good to get to know everyone.
“Our left side is Cleve [McGhie], Gabriel [Gul] and [Mat] Lyons, so I’m excited to see what we can produce against Group 20.”
As for whether he will be doing much research on Group 20’s star players, Karaitiana offered a time-honoured rugby league cliche.
“We’ll probably just focus on us, and what we need to do, defend well and I reckon the rest will take care of itself.”
Another man happy about Karaitiana’s start in the representative showdown is Albury coach Etu Uaisele.
The second-year Thunder first grade mentor said it is good to see one of the club’s key players rewarded with league representative honours.
“I’m pretty happy with it, he’s been probably the main man we go to for the Albury Thunder for the last couple of years now,” he said.
“It [will be] good to see him show what he has on the big stage.”
As for the potential benefits the selection could bring to the Border club, former NRL star turned Thunder legend Uaisele said he hopes that Karaitiana will be able to take the experience and any learnings from the higher level back to club football.
“I think just to get around new players and a new structure with the new coach Blake Dunn is pretty good, and hopefully he brings something back to our team,” he said.
Seven of the competition’s 10 teams supply players to the squad, led by South City (five players), ahead of Gundagai (four), Wagga Kangaroos, Cootamundra (three each), Albury, Wagga Brothers and Temora (one each).
The full Group 9 squad is listed below.
Full Group 9 team: 1. Cody Hodge (South City), 2. Mathew Lyons (South City), 3. Dakota Ruta (Kangaroos), 4. Gabriel Gul (Gundagai), 5. James Morgan (Gundagai), 6. Paul Karaitiana (Albury), 7. Derek Hay (Gundagai), 8. Hayden Philp (Temora), 9. Wilson Hamblin (Gundagai), 10. Nikola Sovatabua (Cootamundra), 11. Shane Hannam (Kangaroos), 12. Cleve McGhie (Brothers), 13. Mitchell Bennett (South City), 14. Kyle McCarthy (South City), 15. Faafetai Vaavale (Cootamundra), 15. Simione Naiduke (Kangaroos), 17. Brody Tracey (South City), 18. Joe Ward (Cootamundra), Coach: Blake Dunn (Brothers).
