Kumuls flyer Gebbie set for club debut against Mt Hagen Eagles

BY ROBINSON LEKA
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls flyer Edene Gebbie is set to make his club debut for Digicel Cup defending champions Lae Tigers in their next match against the Mt Hagen Eagles.
But where and when the round-five fixture will take place remains unclear after the Government imposed a 14-day lockdown in the National Capital District in response to a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Following his side’s 40-4 win over Gulf Isou on Saturday, Tigers coach Stanley Tepend said the former Wynnum Manly fullback would make his debut on the wing after recovering from an illness.
“Gebbie will play next week,” he said.
“He just has to get himself right, not so much physically but mentally.
“We’re just trying to make sure we give him the best care possible.
“We don’t want to rush him so he’ll probably start on the wing and then work his way to fullback.”
Meanwhile, Tepend said their 24-16 round-three win over fellow title contenders Rabaul Gurias was a great result for the Melanesian Cup champions.
“The Gurias game in Lae was tough,” he said. “The weekend after beating a top team can either go either way so we rested a lot of players from the Gurias game.
“I think my players lifted against Isou despite an energy-sapping win over the Gurias,” Tepend said.
“It’s important to keep the same mentality going into each match.”