Mioks secure services of Hunters pair for Digicel Cup

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE Enga Mioks have secured the services of SP Hunters pair Woods Kawage and Rhadley Brawa for the upcoming Digicel Cup season, according to an official.
With July 5 set as the tentative date to kick off the country’s premier rugby league competition, the Enga government-sponsored side will be aiming for finals football after narrowly missing out on last season’s top-six playoffs.
Mioks coach Roger Laka told The National yesterday that Kawage and former Kumul Brawa would be part of the final 25-man squad which would be announced during the week.
“We will have the services of Kawage and Brawa to boost us,” the former SP Hunter said.
“A total of 62 players were brought into camp at the start of the year in Lae. We got a good mixture of players from the Ipatas Cup.
“We retained some players from last season and also selected some players in the province.
“The final 25-man squad will be announced.
“We are still waiting for the board to approve the final squad.”
Laka said the Mioks would resume camp in Lae upon advice from the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League, before moving to Wapenamanda leading up to the start of the season.
“I am confident in the group of players that I have,” he said.
“Our whole pre-season was about working as a team and improving ourselves individually.
“The boys have gelled well together and that is an advantage for us.
“Hopefully, the break will refresh the boys and they’ll be ready for the season.”
Laka, who was part of the Mioks as player-coach last season, said he would concentrate on coaching this year.