From Helensvale to the World Cup: The rise of PNG Kumul Sherwin Tanabi

Sherwin Tanabi knows that if the 2021 Rugby League World Cup wasn’t postponed by one year, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

Twelve months ago, Tanabi was fresh off his first season in Papua New Guinea’s Digicel Cup, where he played for the Lae Tigers and was 18th man on grand final day.

Playing in the Hostplus Cup was still just a goal of his, let alone representing his country.

But tomorrow morning - Tuesday, November 1, at 5.30am AEST – Tanabi will make his official PNG Kumuls debut, when he starts for his home nation in their World Cup pool clash with Wales.

Not only is this a dream come true for the 21-year-old, but it caps off a meteoric rise through the rugby league ranks.

After his breakout season in the Digicel Cup last year, Tanabi has earned a PNG Hunters contract, trained with the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns, played for the Helensvale Hornets in the Gold Coast’s A grade competition.

On top of that, he went on to star in the South East’s XXXX Chairman’s Challenge for the Gold Coast Vikings, made his Hostplus Cup debut, represented PNG’s PM’s XIII, and now, is a Kumul.

“From this time last year, I didn’t think I would be here,” Tanabi said.

“This time last year after the season, I was just at home. I didn’t play much of the Digicel Cup, I didn’t play half of the season. I didn’t know what it would turn into.

“I was thinking back to 2017 and I was in grade 10 and watching the World Cup. Now I’m in the 2021 World Cup… words can’t express what it means.

“If the World Cup wasn’t postponed and they played it last year, I wouldn’t be in this spot right now.

“It’s a big progression on my career this year. I really didn’t expect myself to be here.”

For Tanabi, each opportunity this year, no matter how big or small, has helped him develop into the player he is today.

When the young forward talks about his week in Townsville at the start of the season, his face glows with pride at getting to meet the likes of “the big boys”, such as Queensland Maroons star, Valentine Holmes, and Cowboys sensation, Jason Taumalolo.

Then came community footy on the Gold Coast – an experience Tanabi credits as being the launchpad for his stunning season.

“I only played two games with the Hornets and then I was asked if I was available with the Vikings,” Tanabi said.

“I joined the Vikings to play the Chairman’s Challenge. It was what I needed to help me get through the season.

“That was what I needed to get myself into the game. I’m just glad to have those chances.”

He said playing for the Gold Coast teams was a bit of a culture adjustment being his first time in a side without his Papua New Guinean teammates.

But Vikings coach, Wayne Forbes, felt Tanabi fit into his new settings immediately.

Forbes first spotted the young gun in Helensvale’s Round 2 win over Currumbin – a victory he said Tanabi had a great deal to do with.

He included him in his XXXX Chairman’s Challenge squad and never looked back.

“When I first noticed Sherwin, I noticed he was a hard runner, had a fantastic work rate, and was almost pushing players out of the way just to get the ball,” Forbes said.

“He was keen and an excited kind of player.

“Then with Sherwin, one of the biggest things I remember was the week leading into the Chairman’s Challenge at training. He’s the sort of guy that is always listening, always giving 100 per cent, always asking questions and is really passionate about the game.

“At the end of training, all the guys just went off and started doing their thing, and he came over and asked if he could carry the water bottles to the shed.

“He’s not there to take, take, take, but to give back when he can as well. He’s so appreciative of the experience and opportunities. That’s what’s stuck with me.”

And Tanabi’s attitude and desire to learn is what has seen him succeed this year.

He said after his inconsistent season in the Digicel Cup in 2021, coming in and out of the side, all he wanted this year was to “make the final cut and then be consistent.”

So when his hard work in the Gold Coast competitions paid off and he got that Hostplus Cup call up for the Hunters in Round 5, he was determined to not go backwards.

“My debut was against the Burleigh Bears in ANZAC Round,” Tanabi said.

“I remember coming off the bench. I played like five minutes and accidentally did a crusher (tackle) and got sent off for 10 minutes. We got pumped that game.

“My second game was against the Devils (in Round 7, after a bye) and (coach Matt Church) gave me a starting job. When he gave me that first start, that was it. I knew it was my only chance.”

Tanabi started in the second row in that match against eventual premiers Norths in Toowoomba and he held onto that jersey for the entire season.

Whispers of a possible World Cup appearance then started to eventuate in June.

Tanabi was selected as part of the PNG Kumuls Pacific Test squad against Fiji and while he didn’t play, he was told he was on the radar for the PM’s XIII.

That then became a reality in late September when he was named to take on the Australian PM’s XIII, featuring a host of NRL stars, including Josh Addo-Carr, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

“It was a good experience to verse the Kangaroos,” Tanabi said.

“That game was next level. It was just learning something new.

“I wasn’t really sure (if I’d make the World Cup) because we got pumped. I played off the bench too and I was moving around in different positions on the field.”

Tomorrow, however, all of Tanabi’s hard work, his determined attitude, will pay off as he completes the journey from community football to a World Cup debutant – a PNG Kumul.

PNG are looking to secure the final place in the World Cup quarter-finals, with Wales – a side that also features community rugby league players in Valley Diehards duo Ollie and James Olds – needing to win by 22 points to cause an upset.

Tanabi, who was 18th man in PNG's opening pool match against Tonga, will look to push his nation’s case and, while he was reluctant to discuss his debut because it made him “overexcited”, it is clear it is a significant milestone and one that makes many people proud.

Forbes said the sky is the limit when it comes to Tanabi, who hopes to one day play in the NRL or Super League.

“I’m super proud,” Forbes said.

“He just had all the attributes to go a long way. He had the body, the size, the skills, and he is very coachable.

“There’s a lot of people out there that are similar and do those little things that push them across the line. Being coachable, it takes you a long way.”