A MANDURAH man represented a Latin American rugby league side against the Philippines last Saturday.
Grantito Chacone was the only member selected from Western Australia to represent the Latin Heat.
The Latin Heat went down 80-4, with Chacone giving an inspired ‘Yaoyotl Och Acelotl’ (Jaguar Chant) before the game.
Chacone was eligible to play for the side because of his heritage, with other members of the squad coming from the eastern states.
He described the selection as an honour and said it he hoped it would help promote rugby league in other parts of the world.
“I am an agile fullback who likes to be aggressive and have plenty of experience,” he said.
“It was a really big honour to be able to represent WA and rugby league.”
Chacone moved to Mandurah two years ago from Queensland and now lives in Halls Head.
He said he has now entrenched himself into the community and works at Debbies Café in Halls Head.
His two children are also rugby fans, as they play for the Mandurah Storm.
Chacone said he would like to see a rugby league side in the state and it would be more of a success than the WA Reds were back in the 1990s, but were shut down due to the Super League War.
“I don’t think we were ready for a rugby team back then,” he said.
“I think rugby league in WA has come in leaps and bounds.” Chacone said he was proud to now call Mandurah his home.
