Mt Hagen Eagles set to challenge Wigmen

By LARRY ANDREW and PATRICIA KEAMO
MT Hagen Eagles will look to give reigning Digicel Cup champions Hela Wigmen a good challenge in round two of the Digicel Cup at the Oil National Football Stadium in Port Moresby tomorrow (1pm kick-off).Despite losing 20-48 to 2020 runners-up Lae Snax Tigers, the visiting Western Highlanders were a tougher side in the second half after a slow start at the Lae Rugby League Ground on Sunday.Eagles coach Billy Gau told The National that he was impressed with the second-half performance of his players who improved their completion rate and defence.“It was a long pre-season and the competition just kicked off in the middle of the year,” he said.“We’ve got some old hands who are slowly developing their combinations with our new players.“It’s just the first game, so we’ll look to continue improving.”Gau said they also needed to limit their errors if they were to come away with a positive result.He said the club did not recruit players from other franchises and leagues as they opted to develop their own talents from Mt Hagen.The Tigers clash saw Benji Ben, Steven and Ron Wek making their debuts for the Eagles.Meanwhile, Wigmen coach Charlie Wabo said their only injury concern was playmaker Tony Wemin who was awaiting clearance from the club doctor.“Our preparations have been good,” he told The National yesterday. “We’re working hard to fix the areas in which we lacked in round one.
Eagles: Brandon Anis, Moses Tali, Desmond Michael, Scott Francis, Elijah Peter, Garry James, Bernard Noel, Henry Wan, Jero Kunda, Laughton Lipu, David Makop, Joshua Nanni, Benji Ben; Interchange — Adam Korowa, Mosley Tika, Steven Kela, Vincent Neri.
Wigmen: Junior Hoki, Rodger David, Junior Igila, Stanford Talita (co-captain), Nanduka Rame, Allan Simbiri, Tony Wemin, Valentine Culligan (co-captain), Patrick Morea, Daniel Pai, Cliff Denge, Kennedy Telenge, Kopu Piju; Interchange — Eddie Vincent, Tommy Moide, Atua Nogoya, Manu Kame.