Tau-Loi determined to help Hunters end finals drought

Friday, 16 February 2024, 10:07 am

SP Hunters forward Whallen Tau-Loi in action during preseason training. (Supplied: Hunters)

Workaholic forward Whallan Tau-Loi has set a determined goal with intent to help the SP PNG Hunters break the finals drought this season.

Apart from his short-team goal of making the final Hunters 30-man squad for the 2024 Hostplus Cup competition, Tau-Loi is already setting sights on the PNG Kumuls jumper.

The 26-year-old elevated his rugby league career at the backend of 2023, making his debut for Hunters in round 16.

Despite just playing five games in the second-tier Queensland comp, the central lad was impressive enough to earn a fulltime contract with the Paul Aiton-coached side.

“I'm grateful for this opportunity. I just grabbed everything to hand wholeheartedly just to impress the coaches to make the final cut,” Tau-Loi said of his inclusion in Hunters.

“To be honest my long term goal is to make the Kumuls team. But my focus now is to help Hunters make the finals.”

Tau-Loi is not moved by the challenges he is facing at training, instead, his focus is on getting the basics right and coordinating the little things in order.

“I’ve learnt a lot of new stuff which is getting me prepared for new challenges this season,” he said.

“Preseason has been good and I just want to keep up with the coach.”

A versatile player who is capable of playing both the forwards and backs position, the Port Moresby-born utility is known for his volatile runs and determination on the pitch.

Since taking strides with the Central Dabaris franchise in 2020, Tau-Loi is one of the consistent performers in Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.

The Hunters enforcer remains committed in training and hopes to get his body in shape for the Hostplus Cup opener against Wynnum Manly Seagulls on March 9 in Port Moresby.

“I’m working on my body weight, just to put on a few kilos and I want to improve on my defense.”

Recapping highlights from last weekend’s trial against Ipswich Jets, Tau-Loi is keen for what is installed in the 2024 campaign.

“The trial match against Jets was pretty good performance from the old boys combined together with the new guys, just executing all the things we learnt,” he said.

“Pretty impressive so looking forward to this season.