Brown looking to capitalise on Wigmen combinations

HELA Wigmen fullback Norman Brown says having six of his Digicel Cup teammates in the SP Hunters’ 2021 squad is a bonus for him and the team.
Brown and fellow Wigmen Judah Rimbu, Jeffery Robert, Solomon Pokari, Solo Wane, Gilmo Paul and Samuel Yegip were named in the final squad ahead of the Hunters’ relocation to Australia for the upcoming Queensland Intrust Super Cup season.
Another Digicel Cup premiership winner and Wigman, forward Valentine Culligan would have made the final squad but the University of Papua New Guinea final-year student withdrew to focus on his studies.
Brown told The National yesterday that playing alongside familiar faces would help with their combinations leading up to the Hunters’ eighth season in the competition.
“Being around your Digicel Cup teammates gives you extra comfort and confidence,” he said.
“We know a few players from other Digicel Cup teams, so it will help with team bonding and combinations.
“I believe if we bring that positivity onto the field, starting in round one, I am confident that we will perform strongly.
“But that is easier said than done, so we have to keep working hard before and during the season.”
Brown said the camp was positive with players in good spirits as the 2017 champions look to hit the ground running in Australia’s second-tier rugby league competition.
Meanwhile, Wigmen coach Charlie Wabo said last week that he was using the offseason to identify and recruit new talents to fill the void created by the players who joined Matthew Church’s Hunters.