Emerging Canberra Raiders prop Luke Page admits he's "starting to get impatient" as he awaits an NRL chance, but he's determined to use his international debut with Papua New Guinea this weekend to prove he's ready.
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Page has become a cult figure with Raiders fans since signing with the club last year, the 24-year-old taking out the Queensland Cup's player of the year award and showing strong form with Mounties to start this year's NSW Cup.
Page met with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart early this month to press his case for NRL selection. Page has attracted attention from rival NRL clubs, but Canberra are keen to re-sign him.
"We did sit down and spoke about it, [Stuart] basically wants me to play first grade before we start talking contracts," Page said.
"He said he could sign me right now on a second tier contract, no problem, he just wants to see how I go in first grade before he makes any decisions like that.
"I really love Canberra and I'd love to stay here, but I'm still waiting on that opportunity Ricky said he'd give me.
"Yeah I have had other offers at the moment but it's still all talk and we'll see how the year pans out. We're only at round eight.
"I'd love to stay here, it's a good vibe and Ricky's really building something. I can't wait to be a part of it."
Despite the mid-season departure of veteran prop Dane Tilse to Hull KR, Canberra's front row remains one of the toughest to break into. Young props Shannon Boyd and Paul Vaughan are both in Country Origin camp. Former representative prop David Shillington is also a chance to return from a broken thumb for Canberra's next clash against Gold Coast at Canberra Stadium on May 9.
Page was previously at the Titans. He wants to use his debut for Papua New Guinea against Fiji on the Gold Coast this Saturday to press his case.
"This year I'm 24 so I'm starting to get impatient, I've been in the system for a little bit now," Page said.
"I guess I have to bide my time, all I can do is play good footy. I can't really force any coach to play me, I've just got to keep being consistent in what I do.
"I'm banging the door down as hard as I can, we'll just have to wait and see really.
"Hopefully this game on the weekend can show I'm good enough to play NRL, and go from there."
Page has been working with Raiders assistant and former international prop Dean Pay to improve his defence, the part of his game which has held him back from NRL so far.
Page declined a chance to represent the Kumuls against the Prime Minister's XIII in October, preferring to concentrate on his first NRL pre-season with Canberra. Page said he had been excited to work with Raiders legend and Papua New Guinea coach Mal Meninga.
"It's an honour to be coached by him, any chance I get I appreciate, and I'm pretty excited to give him a good performance on the weekend." Page said.
