Malum steps down as Tigers coach after dismal season

IT is now official, former Kumul Stanley Tepend has replaced Steve Malum as the Snax Lae Tigers coach for the remainder of the Digicel Cup  rugby league season.
Club owner and managing director of Lae Biscuit Company Ian Chow confirmed yesterday via email that Tepend, who is the coach of Waps Tigers, a feeder club for his team, had replaced Malum.
Malum had resigned last week after facing pressure and threats from Tigers’ supporters who were unhappy with the consecutive losses over the last 11 weeks of competition.
The Tigers sit second last on the ladder with six points.
Malum is still part of the Tigers board though and the veteran rugby league administrator will continue to play a role with the team.
On top of the spectators’ lack of respect and support, Chow attributed the eighth consecutive loss to Enga Mioks last Sunday to poor refereeing match officials.
“Tigers have had many close losses.
“We’re not crying, but half of those losses were due to biased referees and touch officials,” Chow said.
“Unfortunately there is no home game advantage for Lae and Port Moresby teams since there are so many people from other provinces in these two cities.
“The most fair matches are always in the nation’s capital and Lae but there are many times when incompetent referees cost the match for teams,” he said.