Moni Plus Nova will be looking to take advantage of the experience of former QLD Reds and Brumbies veteran, Aiden Toua, who will line up for the club this weekend in Round 12 of the Pepsi Cup Capital Rugby Union (CRU) against the Gangloff Consultants University Piggies at the home of PNG Rugby, Bava Stadium.
Nova Coach Eddie Galele stated on Wednesday that Toua had approached him to ask if he could line up for the Nova this weekend, an offer Galele said that he could not let go.
“I was excited and couldn’t wait to get him involved. He turned up for training on Tuesday and went through the routines with the team and looks in good shape. I am 80 – 90% confident will take the field from the interchange bench,” Galele said.
Apart from Galele, this news took the Nova team by surprise, leaving Nova captain Immanuel Levi stoked but excited to take the field alongside one of the countries greats.
“I thought Aiden attended training on Tuesday to help out the coach and give us some tips. This is a surprise and am very excited that he will be playing with us. The boys will be excited and we welcome Aiden to the team and look forward to playing alongside him,” Levi said.
Toua himself when contacted, stated that he was not sure as to he’s interest to line up this weekend, but said he enjoyed getting down to the park to enjoy the games over the weekend.
“To be honest, I am not sure. My uncles, Paul and Ako Toua, played with Harlequins with the likes of Billy Rapilla, late Carl Hoot, Winter Monagi and loved coming down to Bava Park to watch them. I was initially tempted to join them. But something drew me to Nova where my uncle Ako coached a few years back which made me notice them and having trained with the boys, am excited to join such a great club,” Toua mentioned.
He added Coach Eddie Galele has a great understanding of how the game is played and where opportunities are and is a great leader. Toua said it has always been his intention to get involved with rugby in PNG.
“That has been done and they are happy, I have time to get involved and what better way than to play.” Toua said he was impressed with the standard of rugby in Port Moresby and the natural talent running around in the competition.
“The CRU headed by Kori Chan is on an exciting journey and I can see the standards improving quite rapidly in the next 12 months. Hopefully, I can contribute in a small way in helping not only Nova rugby, but the level of rugby in the Pepsi CRU competition and importantly assist everyone realize their potential.”
“Just hoping this old body still has some petrol left in it,” Toua concluded.