Church, assistants attend Southern Super League fixture for potential recruits

By JACK AMI
THE SP Hunters’ coaching staff visited Moresby South Stadium last Thursday to scout for potential talents from the Southern Super League National Gaming Control Board Cup competition.
Head coach Matthew Church, and assistant coaches Paul Aiton and Stanley Tepend watched Port Moresby Vipers Academy crush Rigo Raiders 40-10.
They were impressed with the ladder-leading Vipers’ attack and defence, which resulted in the one-sided affair.
Former Lae Tigers head coach Tepend said they were impressed with Vipers pair Jimmy Gissua and Kingstimer Paraia.
“Since the start of the second-tier rugby league competition, these two youngsters have been consistent over seven rounds,” he said.
“It looks like the two youngsters will join the Hunters pre-season training camp at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.
“We were to watch the Laumas-Eda Bulldogs fixture, but had to leave due to the late start.
“But we were satisfied with the Vipers-Raiders clash.”
Tepend had recently been appointed as an assistant coach on a full-time basis for the 2022 Queensland Intrust Super Cup season.
The Papua New Guinea Kumuls legend, however, said his heart was still with the Tigers and so he would provide assistance if the Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored 2021 Digicel Cup champions needed his help.
Meanwhile, Church, Aiton and Tepend praised league chairman Bagelo Solien, deputy chairman Gairo Pepena and secretary Indy Verena for establishing the competition.
Former PNG Orchids head coach Solien said it was a pity that the trio were unable to watch Moresby South Blacks who had several talented players.
However, the scouting of Gissua and Paraia is an indication that the league is heading in the right direction in terms of marketing unknown and rural talents in the region.