Ipswich Jets rookie Chol Chol’s long journey from Sudan to face Manly Sea Eagles

MEET the 18-year-old rugby league rookie from the Sudan who is preparing to take on the big name stars of the Manly Sea Eagles this Saturday.

Ipswich Jets new recruit and speedster Chol Chol. Photo: David Nielsen / The Queensland Times

HE is the 18-year-old rugby league rookie from Sudan who is preparing to take on the big name stars of the Manly Sea Eagles this Saturday.

Wing speedster Chol Chol will play for the Ipswich Jets in a trial against a strong Manly line-up at Pittwater Rugby Park in what will be only his third game of senior football.

“I am excited, but I am nervous as,” he said. “It is dream come true playing against NRL players, I can’t believe it, that is where I want to be.”

He described the chance to show Steve Matai and his NRL teammates what he has got as the best thing ever.

“Getting tackled by them will be even better - if I’m not in hospital after,” he laughed.

Chol moved from the war-torn Sudan to New Zealand with his mother when he was six, becoming a border at Wesley College, the old school of Jonah Lomu.

It was then he was introduced to rugby league and rugby union for the first time and became was hooked.

“Watching Ben Barba and Shaun Johnson, they have been my idols ever since I was little. They made me want to play. I love it and want to dedicate myself to it,” he said.

Chol was spotted trialling for the Auckland under 17 rugby league team and received a scholarship to attend Ipswich High in 2015. He made an immediate impact when given a run in the Jets senior team this year, combining with raw talent with an infectious enthusiasm.

“He has only just finished school but he has scored and made the freakiest tries and breaks we have seen in only two trials,” said Jets co-coach Shane Walker.

“He is built like a twig but has got a sidestep that has to be seen to be believed and he has fend like a taser.”

Ipswich Jets speedster Chol Chol has been hailed for his enthusiasm.

And on Saturday Walker said to expect the unexpected from his side that are renowned for their unorthodox attacking style.

He said all the Jets players train to be able to throw a spiral pass at least 10m, the majority of them can kick and a lot have a good offload.

“So rather than just doing a hit up where three guys make a tackle and slow you up we keep the ball alive and challenge right across the defensive line,” he said.

“We don’t want to have to sit there and bore our way through 80 minutes of footy.”

And that suits young Chol just fine.

“It’s entertaining and it’s just lots of fun to play,” he said.