Muruks move to Lae

THE Mendi Muruks will use the Lae Rugby League Ground as their home for the upcoming Digicel Cup season, says coach Roderick Puname.
He told The National yesterday that their home Joe Keviame Oval would undergo maintenance for the Papua New Guinea Games scheduled to be held in Southern Highlands next year.
The Muruks are not new to Morobe, having set up camp in Lae between 2005 and 2012 under former sponsor Mabey and Johnson.
The Petroleum Resources Kutubu-sponsored side had an outstanding record during that period with three straight titles from five grand-final appearances.
“The Muruks had a great record when they were based in Lae,” said Puname, who also played for the club.
“But that was under a different sponsor, with different players and in a different era.
“It depends on how the current players approach their matches.
“The challenge now is for these young men to at least match what the former players had achieved.
“They must embrace it and take pride in the jersey.
“Basically, that is what we want to drive into the team so that the players know what they represent and its significance.”
Puname said Lae had changed since the side returned to Mendi.
The former SP Hunters assistant coach said the re-location would only be for this season.
With the Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored Tigers now regarded as the competition’s glamour team, Puname says it will be good to share the venue with the defending champions.