Lachlan Galvin never thought he’d be back in Papua New Guinea so soon.
The NRL’s rookie wonder will fly back to Port Moresby with the Prime Minister’s XIII on Friday, a year after touring as captain of Australian Schoolboys.
Since then the 19-year-old’s made 21 NRL appearances for Wests Tigers, doing his best to deliver on the hype generated by Phil Gould’s belief he was better than any of Andrew Johns, Greg Alexander or Brad Fittler at the same age.
“He’s a bit better than me,” Fittler, who will coach the side on Sunday, said.
“I can’t believe how big he is; tall, a big boy.
“It’ll be interesting watching how he evolves in his career, whether he stays five-eighth or moves into the back row, or at lock forward.
“He’s a great kid … wonderful, great role model and great for the game.”
Galvin isn’t sure about a positional switch yet, especially as he prepares to welcome four-time NRL title winner Jarome Luai to a club that’s just collected a third-straight wooden spoon.
“I want to stay at No.6 as long as I can,” he smirked, before reflecting on a “surreal” season that’s seen him packing his bags again for PNG.
“It’s amazing; I never even thought I’d debut this year.
“One hundred per cent we’re on the up and Jarome will be a massive part of that.”
Fittler thinks Luai will make an immediate impact at his new club.
“I’m sure Lachie’s standards are high already, he’ll make sure the standards for everyone are high,” the former NSW coach said.
“I’ve no doubt they’ll win more games while Jarome’s there.
“People are turning out, they need now to win and Jarome can turn that form around.”
Experienced Prime Minister’s XIII skipper Damien Cook has never visited Papua New Guinea.
But teenager Galvin can see why the prospect of an NRL expansion team in the country is gaining traction.
“They just love their rugby league, he said.
“It’s amazing how good they make you feel; they think you’re the best thing ever.
“They love it and if a (NRL) footy team was over there, it’d be massive.”
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