Dolphins preseason set the foundation for Rimbu’s rise in Hostplus Cup
Petero Civoniceva medalist Judah Rimbu admitted that spending the preseason with the Dolphins NRL side at the beginning of the year helped him set the course for the 2024 Hostplus Cup.
The short spell under outgoing Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett paved the way for him to carve one of the best seasons with the PNG Hunters.
He also gave credit to Hunters for guiding him to success this year where he earned the prestigious ‘Player of the Year’ award for a gleaming season.
“I had preseason with the Dolphins, and I felt like I built myself up there and then I came back to the PNG Hunters team,
“The [Hunters] coaching staff have been good, and the sponsors, and the CEO, and everyone been good to the team all year.
“Being part of the team helped me to do week in, week out, good footy. And my family have been good to me with support and all that, so it helped me a lot in my footy career.”
Rimbu had a strong season which helped PNG Hunters to the finals for the first time in seven years.
Making 23 appearances in the regular round including 3 finals games this year, the Hunter no.92 scored 16 tries and produced 5 assists with an average of 82 running meters per game.
He proved to be a valuable asset for Hunters with his attacking style, which made him a standout as one of Queensland Rugby League Competition’s lethal weapons.
2024 has been an outstanding year for the 22-year-old hooker, who became the second Hunters player to earn the coveted honor – Petero Civoniceva medal.
“It hasn't sunk in yet, but first of all I want to say thank you to the man upstairs for the year 2024,” Rimbu said of winning the top QRL award.
“This medal means a lot, Player of the Year, I didn't expect to get it. I just want to say thanks to God that he helped me get through this.
“And most past players have done it, and I just created my legacy, so I'm so grateful, I'm so blessed and I'm so stoked that I received this medal, and I think this will stay with me forever.”
The Hunters utility said he learned a lot of things during his small time with Dolphins, acclimatizing himself to the NRL environment.
He said professionalism on and off the field was a key takeaway for him after the train-and-trial contract.
“I just normally do like my weekly routine, so that's the biggest thing I learned, to be professional on and off the field.”
The youngster rated the 2024 playing roster as one of the best careers of his journey since joining Hunters in 2021.
Despite the Port Moresby-based club ending their campaign in the preliminary finals against North Devils, Rimbu was proud of the team’s effort to finish in the top 4.
He said ending the finals drought was one of the ultimate goals for Hunters this year under rookie coach Paul Aiton and it was satisfying to achieve it.
“We were disappointed, but it's good that after seven years we made the finals and we lost in the preliminary finals,” he said.
“Our coach Paully [Paul Aiton] has been asking us if we're going to make the top 4, and it's really good to finish top 4.
“But for myself and the boys, they showed a lot of resilience. Some of my boys were injured and all that, but some of the young boys stood out.
“If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't get this award, but I'm so grateful for the boys and the team and the coaching staff and everyone that participates in PNG Hunters.”
Rimbu has not clarified the next step of his career but has indicated his intention to move to England in 2025.
The Southern Highlands man acknowledged his family and Hunters for providing him with necessary support and looked ahead to what was installed for him at the end of the year Pacific Championships.
With a masterclass performance in QRL, he is likely to retain his position in the PNG Kumuls camp in preparation for the Bowl tournament against Fiji and Cook Islands.
