Posted By Staff Reporter
AGMARK Rabaul Gurias will be vying to send off two of their veteran players in Rodney Pora and Pidi Tongap on a winning note when they face off with the Hela Wigmen in the Digicel Cup Grand-Final at the Lae Rugby League grounds on Sunday.
Gurias coach George Tobata said the final will also be a swan song for Gurias veterans Pora and Tongap, who are both former Kumuls, who will be retiring at the end of this season so the Gurias will be expected to farewell the duo on a winning note as well as welcome their new coach, Tobata, with a win. Tobata welcomed the decision to play the Wigmen in Lae after much debate on the grand final venue was finally resolved and indicated that despite his side beating them at home in their two previous encounters, they were wary of the giant killers having to boast experienced campaigners of George Mone, Joseph Omae, Charlie Wabo and Hunters’ Stanton Albert who can step up in big games. But Tobata said they are focused on the big game ahead and were training well and polishing up on mainly ball handling errors and their defense which cost them a few points against the Mioks a fortnight ago. Tobata said the team had built up discipline, had bonded well and had built in the trust, belief and commitment amongst themselves during the season and with God’s blessing, they were ready to take on the Wigmen. Tobata said Danny Patrick has been ruled out of the final with a ligament tear with William Akuila nursing a deep gash above the eye but should be ready by game day with necessary changes done already to cater for the injured. Tobata indicated that Hunters Joe Bruno and Edward Goma, having missed out on Hunters selection will be running on with the Gurias slotting in perfectly into a team already riddled with rising stars and current Kumuls players in skipper Ase Boas and Francis Paniu. The Hela Wigmen, newcomers and surprise finalists in this year’s grand final will be out to cause an upset after having disposed of finals favourites and reigning champions SNS Port Moresby Vipers and competition pace setters Lae Snax Tigers on their own turf in the finals playoffs. The Gurias line up is Jason Missian, William Akuila, Edward Goma, Mathew Puke, Chris Jerry, Francis Paniu, Ase Boas, Rodney Pora, Quintan Ragi, Jackson Undi, Samuel Hamari, Emmanuel John, Travis Waninara, Joe Bruno, Bradley Simon, Nelson Daplen, Daniel Pai, Pidi Tongap, Jack Markus. PNG Facts/ Post Courier Comments are closed.
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