Isou take win in stride, keeping focus on job

RUGBY league coach Colin Geno’s midas touch seems to be working at Digicel Cup franchise Gulf Isou.
The 45-year-old, who has a string of achievements that would make many coaches envious, oversaw the new club’s shock 13-12 defeat of reigning champions Lae Snax Tigers in the competition’s opening round at the Sir John Guise Stadium last Sunday.
For Geno, who has enjoyed a successful run as a coach over the past three seasons guiding teams to win two national zone titles and an assortment of nines tournaments, said he was just grateful the Isou players had the belief and backed themselves to beat the Tigers in a competitive fixture.
Geno may be a rookie at Digicel Cup level but he is under no illusions about how tough things can get in that cauldron.
That is why he has insisted his men keep their feet on the ground by following a simple game plan of “sticking to the basics”.
They will need to replicate last Sunday’s heroics when they take on the Chimbu Warriors, who were given a 24-2 toweling by the Agmark Gurias in Kokopo, and will be desperate to bank a win over their fellow debutants.
Geno is no mug. He knows his boys are in for torrid physical test, hence the game plan.
The Aroma man said keeping it simple like having better ball security, completing sets, forwards and backs following their roles, wrapping up the ball carrier and executing well the skills such as playing the ball correctly, passing, catching, tackling and focusing on playing footy would give his side the best chance for victory.
Geno said if the Isou could weather the early storm and settle into a rhythm they should be able to get the points over the rugged Warriors.
“The majority of our squad are new to this level but they showed against the Tigers that they can play, so I’m hoping they take the same attitude into the game against the Warriors,” Geno said.
Playing the Highlands teams on their turf is never an easy task but the Isou have the good fortune of making only one trip out of Port Moresby over the competition’s opening six rounds.
They will face the Gurias at Kalabond Oval in round 3 and get their first taste of Highlands hospitality in round 7 when they take on the Goroka Lahanis in Goroka.
Geno said he hoped his team had built enough form and experience to handle the unique experience of facing a Highlands team at altitude and in front of their parochial fans.
“We just need to be disciplined and patient this year.”
Isou captain Stanis Susuve led by example in their debut fixture starting in the centres before switching to fullback in the second half. Geno said Susuve had a special skill set that set him apart from the majority of players in the competition.
“Stanis is our leader on the field and does everything you expect from a captain but he also has skills from his days playing Aussie rules and rugby sevens for the country which can turn a game in our favour,” Geno said.
Susuve kicked a 40/20 in the dying minutes of Sunday’s match which got his side into a position for five-eighth Joshua Thomas to kick the match-winning field goal and give the Gulf side its first win.
With a great support structure provided by sponsor Petroleum Resources Kutubu, the Gulf Provincial Sports Trust as well as a talented coach and a willing group of players, the Isou could well exceed their modest goal of finishing mid table this season.