| Sports |
Defending Muruks keen to retain
league SP Cup
By DAVID KAPI
WILL it be the
defending champions Mabey & Johnson Muruks or minor premiers
Agmark Gurias in the 2007 SP Cup rugby league competition grand
final match at the Lloyd Robson Oval on Sunday?
Whichever way, it will be a beauty when the last two teams
standing in the SP Cup rugby league grand final Muruks and
Gurias do battle to earn the right to lift the prestigious SP
Cup on Sunday afternoon with the teams boasting some of the
hardest hitters in the comp and stylish individual stars to do
wonders for their teams.
Defending champions Muruks have most of their team members from
last year’s grand final victory in their advantage with Kumuls
half-back and play maker Stanley Hondina back in the starting
line up after missing the qualifying final win against Brian
Bell Bulldogs with injury while for the minor premiers Gurias it
is disappointing to loose their key player in half-back Jessie
Alunga with broken arm.
However, both teams are balanced in all departments, especially
in key positions boasting experience and depth.
The Guiras are far more advantaged with experienced campaigner
Ricky Sibiya at fullback, former Kumuls forward Lucas Solbat
supporting representative Rodney Pora Channel Aquila and George
Baker upfront and former SP Cup player of the year Menzie Yere
at pivot and center Chris Purkikil will be a mountain of taskl
for the Lae based Mendi men.
Muruks will be dangerous with electric wingers Sova Milfred and
Terry Toa to do what they do best with champion five-eighth
Stanley Hondina finding his footing and halfback Johnny Boi Toak
controlling the traffic for stylish back rower Joseph Omae and
strong centers Wesley Benny and Jonathan Wagano to finish off.
Also it would be an interesting battle upfront with Gurias
forwards Rodney Pora, George Baker, Channel Aquilla, and Lucas
Solbat to match young and enthusiastic Muruks counterparts in
barnstorming Simon Young, Norbert Kembo, Erick Waine, Shond Owil
lead by skipper Joesheph Omae.
Rookie coach Michel Marum, a former Kumuls himself is not new to
pressure said the game would be won by best team on the park who
does basic things right and keep their cool, especially in
defence knowing that both teams can score point form any where
in the park.
Muruks Joe Kereme coach have dropped players some due to injury
by bringing Wesley Benny, Hondina, Bit Embia and Andrew Andiki
to bolster its team and provide the best to defend the cup they
won eventually defeating Goroka Lahanis in the final.
Muruks team: : Bit Embia, Terry Toa, Wesley Benny, Jonathan
Wagano, Sova Milfred, Stanley Hondina, Jonnie Boi Toank, Eric
Waina, Andrew Andiki, Shond Owil, Joseph Omae (captain), Norbert
Kembo, Malachy Owen. Reserves: Roderick Puname, Amos Mini,
Samuel Nap and Mathew Newman.
Gurias: Ricky Sibiya, Lik Dely, Alex Ben, Chris Purkikil, Colin
Aruna, Menzie Yere (c), Benson Kainini, Channel Aquila, Opisa
Pomba, Rodney Pora, Gorege Baker, Obert Nondele, Rolly Matalau,
Res: Abraham Henao, Licas Solbat, James Dummie, Frank Jim.
 
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