Tigers set to roar in Fiji

Sports

By JACK AMI and LARRY ANDREW
LAE Tigers head coach Stanley Tepend is aware that in the Nadi Aviators his side faces it biggest test yet when they vie for the title of champion club in the second Melanesian Cup challenge in Sigatoka, Fiji, tomorrow.
“We’re representing Papua New Guinea and our aim is to retain the Melo Cup and do it for our sponsor the late Sir Henry Chow,” Tepend said at a training run in Port Moresby earlier in the week.
“This is mission we want to accomplish as our preparation and lead up to the game has been our best by far.”
The side left for Fiji yesterday  boosted with the inclusion of current SP PNG Hunters David Loko, Junior Rop, Noel Joel and Anderson Benford along with Kumul forward Timothy Lomai and dynamic rake Warren Glare.
Tepend said he expected the  home side to be agressive and to come at them in the opening exchanges but added the experience would be good for his side.
“We know that they’ve had some help form some NRL stars over the last week or two and that they’ll be fired up to regain some pride after the other Fiji side (Sabeto Roosters) got beaten by the Gurias in the first Melo Cup in 2015.”
Glare, who returned to the franchise after a stint with the Hunters, said he would use his experience to give back to the club where he started from and help his team in the new Digicel Cup season.
“I learned a lot at the Hunters and I’m hoping to use that experience to help the Tigers win the match in Fiji and continue that in 2017,” Glare said.