Twenty seven-year-old rugby league forward, Muka Peter has signed a one-year contract with the Rugby Club Salon XIII- the Jaguars in the French Rugby League Elite 2 competition all thanks to the Wantok Sports Agency.
Maku, who hails from the Simbu province and residing at the Tokarara suburb in Port Moresby city, will soon be making his debut with the Jaguars in the 2024 French Rugby League Semi-Professional Elite 2 Season from September to April 2025.
Forward, who plays with the West New Britain (WNB) Provincial Government Kimbe Cutter’s, told PNG HAUSBUNG that the opportunity would not have been possible without the Rugby recruitment services from the Wantok Sports Agency to help publicize his skills and experience to the Rugby Club Salon XIII.
Upon receiving the contract from the Salon XIII, he was relieved as it was his intention to start a new journey overseas playing professional rugby league, a much sought after change after nine years in Papua New Guinea’s domestic tournaments.
He is now focused on completing the 2024 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Season with the Kimbe Cutters before his departure to France, including settling personal and family affairs despite his initial travel dates is yet to be confirmed.
In his younger days while living at Tokarara suburb’s Rakatani Road, Muka played in the local leagues with clubs like the Tokarara Mix Dogs and Nest United then moved onto the Magani Rugby League Club in the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) National Capital District (NCD) Town Competition.
In his days in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup, he played three years with the Rabaul Gurias in 2018-2019 and one year each with the Central Dabaris and Sepik Pride, and then with his current Kimbe Cutters.
The young lad expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to SP Hunters Captain and former ENB Rabaul Gurias Skipper Illa Alu, Hela Wigmen Head Trainor Nelson Stone and Late PNG Orchids Head Trainer Andrew Stone for the support, wisdom and time given while growing into the community leagues and local professional tournaments.
The three figures including Muka share one community in Tokarara, and they played a significant role in preparing and guiding him on and off the field, especially Mr. Alu as a big brother, coach, teammate and skipper during both Community Leagues and three years with the Rabaul Gurias.
He further stressed that he would like to maintain the idea and spirit of brotherhood when living in France as it’s always been an uplifting group motion.
Muka is confident he will fully embrace and utilize the opportunity to make his stand in the French Rugby League and will take one step at a time and trust the process, whilst given an opportunity to excel into other rugby league clubs and Elite 1 Division during the season.