Gurias eye shot at history

DEFENDING Digicel Cup champions the Agmark Gurias expect the Wamp Nga Hagen Eagles to try to muscle their way to victory when the sides meet in the preliminary final on Saturday at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.
Gurias coach Steven Nightingale said his side were anticipating a torrid encounter from the Western Highlanders, who beat them 22-10 at Rebiamul Oval, Hagen, in round 10, using a forward-oriented game plan.
“I think they’ll use their extra size to dominate us through the middle,” Nightingale, pictured, said.
“They’re a physical team and I expect them to play to their strengths.”
Nightingale, 33, who claimed his first Digicel Cup title in his first season in charge in 2015, said winning back-to-back premierships would be a great achievement but admitted it would be a diffcult task.
“It’d be a great accolade to win back-to-back titles. These days it’s difficult to win consecutive titles but not impossible, and we’re only one game away from defending the cup so there’s a job to do and we’ll be keeping a level head going into this game.”
The last team to win back-to-back titles were the Goroka Lahanis from 2010-2011; before that the Mendi Muruks managed the hat-trick (2006-2008), but the Gurias are the most experienced club when it comes to playing in deciders having made it 12 times over their 25-year history and winning five titles – but strangely enough John Nightingale’s franchise has never won two titles in a row.
“We finished fourth last year and won the title and we’ve finished fourth this year as well, so we can do it again,” Nightingale Senior said.
“It should be a very entertaining game. You’ve got two quality sides with different styles in front of a big crowd, I’m looking forward to this tussle.”
Eagles coach James Kops said his side were disappointed with their 24-22 loss to the Lae Tigers in last week’s major semifinal at the SJGS in front of their fans.
“We were really disappointed with the loss to the Tigers last week,” Kops said. “We let our fans down. They came in numbers and we couldn’t get the win for them.”
“We’re hoping to have the same support against the Gurias and even though the game is on Saturday, hopefully we get a good crowd,” the former Kumul said.
The Eagles have no major injuries but will be without veteran forward Francis Ray, who withdrew from the clash with a knee injury according to Kops, but Hagen’s next generation of stars led by centre Junior Rau and second-rower Nickson Put are expected to step up in the do-or-die fixture.
The dynamic Hood Kawage off the bench will add another dimension to the Kange’s attack and coupled with the horde of Eagles fans expected at the iconic venue, Nightingale’s men could be overwhelmed if they don’t keep cool heads.
The Gurias have a consistent pack of forwards with electric hooker Stanley Olo in great form and poses a constant threat to the Eagles defensive.
Former Kumul Francis Paniu will help guide the East New Britons around the park while their pace and clinical finishing sees the Kokopo-based outfit slight favourites heading into the encounter.
The winner of Saturday’s match plays the Tigers in the grand final next week.