Mexico named in Mioks 2018 squad

By MELTON PAIS
THE Enga Mioks confirmed their final 23-man with former PNG Kumuls and England-based player Mark Mexico, pictured, included to boost the squad for the Digicel Cup season.
Mexico, 28, who played for the Sheffield Eagles in 2016 in the Kingston Press Championship, is back home because of family commitment.
On standby for Mioks this year are SP Hunters squad members Rhadley Brawa, Baundo Aba, Junior Bobby and Wawa Paul while veteran playmaker Roger Laka from the Paga Panthers returns for another season.
Head coach Timothy Lepa said Mexico was an explosive player whom he expected would play a big role for them.
“Mark is will us this year and his presence will be a big boost for us because he of his experience and class,” Lepa said of the former Kumul prop who has played in Australia and England and ben part of a World Cup squad (2013).
Mexico started his league career in 2007 as a scholarship player for the Lae Bombers.
In 2008, Mexico was picked up by the Mioks.
The boy from Kamkumu in Lae was the only Miok to be selected into Kumuls train-on-squad for the World Cup 2008 and even though he did not make the final cut, it was clear he was on the selectors’ radar.
Lepa said back-rower Supa Kokote had retained the captaincy with Laka to deputise. The squad is in Lae but return to Wabag today for their final trial match against the Waghi Tumbe in Wapenamanda on Saturday.
Mioks squad: Yabra Kuk, Levi Andrew, Isaac Mel, Supa Kokote, Nathan Millie, Steven Yei, Kopu Piju, Ben Lupo, Kot Kerowa, Hood Kawage, Lee James, Valentine Wamdi, Raymond Ray, Rex Reto, Garry Ware, Martin Williams, Israel Steven, Benson Lapua, Jeffrey Anton, Mark Mexico, Eddie Daffa, Robert Koronos; Timothy Lepa (coach), Thomas Nea (assistant coach), John Milba (trainer), Sam Koi (manager).