Laumas beef up for 9s

By JACK AMI
THE Funeral Home Laumas have beefed up their roster for the Fuzzy Wuzzy 9s (Nov 25-29) with three Agmark Gurias players to defend their title at the National Football Stadium.
Sponsor Clinton Tuali said Gurias veteran Tuvi Lepan and Eliakim Lukaraas well as rugby union convert Neville Bongoi arrived in Port Moresby on Monday to join the team in preparation for the Fuzzy Wuzzy 9s.
Gurias speedster Jason Missian will join the team by the weekend.
“We had to fly them over because the trio we’re part of the team that won the cup and we’ve brought them back to defend it,” Tuali said.
“We are proud to include these players as they also bring East New Britain quality and style to complement the Southern flavor.
“I have confidence and trust with these players and the Port Moresby-based ones to defend the Fuzzy Wuzzy 9s Cup.
“That is our aim and we want to do it again but we have to really work hard which won’t be easy with the quality of teams like Siporo Magpies, Rovanama and Miro Koivi West, Paga Panthers and Royals also taking part.
Tuali said the trio would then return to Kokopo with Laumas teammates Solomon Pokari, Jojo Forova and Emmanuel Herea for offseason training at Kalabond.
Laumas head coach Peter Popal said their aim was to get a strong roster together not just to win the title but also to benefit the younger players coming in through their system. “We believe that having quality players in the squad will effect everyone positively,” Popal said.
Laumas squad: George Kose, Solomon Pokari, Jojo Forova, Wabo Sonny, Alo Masket, Josiah Abavu, Anthony Abavu, Bland Abavu, Lawrence Kuso Jr, Davidson Sihono, Emmanuel Herea, Obert Muri, Hapeo Bobogi, John Horope, Jason Missian, Tuvi Lepan, Eliakim Lukara, Neville Bongoi.