Coach allows ‘open style’

By PARKER TAMBUA
HELA Wigmen coach Charlie Wabo says his side’s belief of “taking it one game at a time” has seen them come this far and reach their second-straight Digicel Cup grand final.
He said after their 11-10 preliminary final win over Rabaul Gurias on Sunday that they had exhausted all of their game plans.
However, Wabo said Sunday’s grand final against reigning champions Lae Tigers at Sir John Guise Stadium would see an “open” style of football from his men.
“Our approach since round one has been about taking it one game at a time,” said the rookie coach.
“We play it one game and adjust for our next match.
“We’ve now reached the grand final and I think we have achieved one of our goals.
“Our next goal now is to win the title.
“Our game plans have brought us this far.
“But to face the Tigers, I think it will be about ad lib football.
“We will just have to let the boys go out there and play free and enjoy the game.”
The Wigmen reached the grand final through a tough finals run which saw them record three hard-fought wins over the Enga Mioks (14-2), Port Moresby Vipers (12-8) and Rabaul Gurias (11-10).
But they will approach the Tigers with a lot of positives, having beat them 24-4 a month ago which ended the defending champions’ nine-game winning streak.
The game will also be the Wigmen’s third grand final appearance in their eight years of participation in the country’s premier rugby league competition.