Muruks coach Puname pleased with side’s performance

MENDI Muruks coach Roderick Puname is happy with his side’s performance after their 16-12 win over Enga Mioks in the opening round of the Digicel Cup at Lae Rugby League Ground on Sunday. Puname told The National yesterday that fullback Clent Lama, halfback Yawe Dikala and centre Abraham Walis made their Digicel Cup debuts in the fixture. He said the debutants handled the pressure well to get the win. “I was impressed with the performance of those debutants,” Puname said. “It was their first time to play at semi-professional level but they did a great job to get the win. “It’s a short season this year so we wanted to give the opportunity to the rookies early on in round one just so that they can have a feel of playing at Digicel Cup. “We rested our usual starting halves, Milex Wanis and Wesley Batari. “But for this week our regular halves will return.” Puname said his forwards did their job which set up the win.“I think the forwards laid the platform to get us the win.” He said the experience of second-rower Ismael Balkawa and lock Julius Yakopa helped the team maintain its composure in a competitive clash. Meanwhile Puname said the focus of the club going forward was to build its players up for the future. He said consistency and discipline would be their key focus ahead. “We are more focused into future. “We want to build the team around discipline. And we want to be consistent with our players. It’s about keeping the same playing group for a long time so that they can play better. “In the last eight years, we have been lacking in those areas.  “We cannot brag about what the former players achieved. Those players won premierships on the back of hard work.