Muruks lose halfback

Sports

MENDI Muruks will be without halfback Milex Winis for Sunday’s round-five Digicel Cup clash with Goroka Lahanis at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby (1pm kick-off).
Winis injured his ankle in the Muruks’ 36-8 win over Kimbe Cutters at the Lae Rugby League Ground in the Morobe capital last weekend.
The 23-year-old’s likely replacement will be rookie halfback Yawe Dikala who only made his Digicel Cup debut in the Muruks’ 16-12 round-one win over Enga Mioks in Lae last month.
Winis told The National yesterday that he was confident that Dikala would step up as they aim to continue their perfect start to the season.
“Dikala is a confident player,” he said.
“He played well on his debut in round one when I didn’t play, so I think he’ll step up and combine well with five-eighth Wesley Batari. He had some weaknesses in his game and coach Roderick (Puname) had spent some time with him to work on those areas, so I think he’s ready.
“My injury will keep me sidelined for up to three weeks, but I want our players to continue the winning streak.”
Winis said he was thrilled with the way the club had started the season under Puname.
“I think the pre-season training seems to be paying off,” he said. “But we must not get ahead of ourselves as there is still a long way to go in the season and we have to maintain the momentum.”
Meanwhile, the Lahanis are yet to win a game this season and coach Gonzella Urakusie knows they need to turn things around soon if they are to make the finals. Fixtures: Sat, July 3 — Vipers v Dabaris, Wigmen v Gurias; Sun, July 4 — Muruks v Lahanis, Mioks v Eagles, Cutters v Tumbe, Tigers v Isou.