By Fidelis Sukina – EMTV Sports, Port Moresby
The SP PNG Hunters have had a tough first game in the Intrust Super Cup competition. In addition to their first-ever scoreless loss, they also saw an injury to one of their forwards, Ila Alu. It wasn’t the start the Hunters were hoping for. The 23-year-old from Central and Chimbu has been reduced to the sideline with a sling.
“I probably threw my hand out too far from my body, and it connected with the elbow of my opposing player. I felt instant numbness, and thought it was just a pinched nerve,” says Alu.
He got an x-ray in Brisbane and is expected to sit out training for six to eight weeks. The news was devastating for the young prop.
“Yeah, it’s something, you know, I prepared all throughout the preseason just to play, and in Round 1, it’s unfortunate I got this injury. But that’s something I can’t control,” Ila says.
The outspoken Hunters is keeping a positive outlook as he focuses on recovery and says he will not let the injury keep him from making a full recovery, and getting back on the field.
“Something that I’m focussed on right now, is more on getting myself right. Especially with the rehabilitation of my arm. Getting it right as fast as possible before getting back into training with the boys,” he says.
