Penriths Peters powers PNG
PENRITHS Keith Peters holds the key to Papua New Guineas chances in Sundays SP Brewery Pacific Cup final against surprise packets Cook Island at Port Moresby.
The versatile back and hooker has been co-ordinating the hosts remarkable progress in this four-nation rugby league qualifying tournament.
The 23-year-old has not reached icon status in PNG. But to coach Adrian Lam and the home fans, Peters is the major reason why PNG are just one win away from joining Australia, New Zealand and England in the 2010 Four Nations.
``In my eyes a lot of our success is down to him, Lam said.
``Keith is literally my eyes and voice on the field as our organiser.
``He is number one. He gets things done.
``In the past four years he has matured like you wouldnt believe.
Last weekend at Lloyd Robson Oval against a Feleti Mateo-led Tonga, that maturity was plain to see.
Peters coolly directed the Kumuls side to a 44-14 thrashing of the pre-tournament favourites, Tonga.
This Sunday, he has the chance to help take PNG football to the next echelon.
But it hasnt been easy for the kid from Hanuabaea village just outside of Port Moresby.
After moving to Australia in 1993 at the age of seven, Peters worked his way up the junior ranks to where he currently sits in the Penrith Panthers system.
A couple of surgeries following an impressive but wearing World Cup campaign in 2008 left him struggling to break back into the Panthers first grade rotation.
He saw out the majority of the 2009 NRL season with feeder club Windsor.
``But dont think for a second Peters is dwelling on his NRL season, or the 2010 Four Nations.
``The first thing that comes to mind is representing Papua New Guinea, said Peters, who has 16 Tests under his belt.
``This is where I was born this is where I grew up before I came to Australia.
``I want to come here and make myself and my family proud.
``Playing for your country is something special and when (the Kumuls) get together its pretty much like were a family - everyone gets along so well.
``I still remember my first camp in 2004 with (former Panthers team-mate) Paul Aiton we came in and weve never looked back.
PNG did not win a game in their tough World Cup pool featuring Australia, New Zealand and England but showed their potential by almost toppling the latter.
``The World Cup helped a lot, Peters said.
``I think we learned a lot from it and gained a lot of confidence in that we can compete with the best teams in the world, and I think thats starting to show now.
``We have lost some experienced players from last year but guys like Jessie Joe Parker, Rodney Pora, Anton Kui and a guy like Menzie Yere who has come along leaps and bounds, theyve really improved.
Cook Islands, led by backrowers Fred Makimare (Melbourne Storm), Zane Tetevano (Newcastle Knights) and inspirational captain Tere Glassie, decimated the hopes of Samoa and Fiji in consecutive weeks to reach the final.
The final will be played at Lloyd Robson Oval. Tonga will play Fiji on Saturday in an international rankings match to determine third and fourth place.
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