Super League star wants NRL move

The likes of Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants all made major signings ahead of the 2023 Super League season all to differing success.

Huddersfield were one of the biggest recruiters and drafted in former New Zealand international Esan Marsters.

He will be hoping for a more successful season in 2024 but is also keen to return to the NRL.

“I’ve got an end goal of wanting to come back to the NRL,” Marsters said to NRL.com. “I’m only 27 so I’ve still got a lot of good footy left in me.

“I’m enjoying the Super League, I’ve got my family there so it’s good but, for myself, I want to use this platform here to hopefully get back to the NRL.”

He also spoke about what it means to play for the Cook Islands:

“My mum is of Cook Island descent, her mum and dad are Cookies, so it is a big thing for myself to represent our nation of 19 small islands and especially, to play with my cousin [Steven Marsters]. That’s massive for our family,” he said.

“There is a lot of good talent coming out of the Cook Islands, and if you look at the players who are playing for Australia and New Zealand, some of the big names who are playing for them could play for us as well.

“We are treated like rock stars here in PNG and if we can build that across all islands it will be great for our game.

“The Pacific Championships is good exposure for our little nations. We are treated like rock stars here in PNG and if we can build that across all islands it will be great for our game.”

“I think when we had the ball we looked pretty good but we just ran out of energy,” Marsters said.

“I think if we start good and start well, the conditions are humid si for us it is just going to be about better ball security.

“We know it is going to be a tough game but it’s a challenge for us that we are looking forward to.

“A couple of young guys get the chance to make their debuts which is good and the more game time we give to the younger guys the better it will be for us in the long run.

“It is good exposure for them to feel what it is like to play against NRL players and people that play with passion when representing their country.”