Muruks starting 2024 strong with win over Lahanis in Lae

THE Mendi Muruks’ 2024 season is taking on a familiar trajectory to years past with the Southern Highlands franchise starting their campaign with wins.
The Muruks ground out a 28-20 win over last year’s grand finalists the Goroka Lahanis at the Lae Rugby League ground yesterday for their second win of the new season.
Despite this result Muruks coach Andrew Andiki was not satisfied with how his charges played.
He said while they achieved their aim of getting the win he described it as lucky and not earned compared to their round one win.
Andiki said a high error rate and a lack of patience almost cost his side the match and these were areas that would be addressed during the week.
“The Lahanis were gone but we gave them the opportunity to come back and I feel like the Muruks scoring in the last minute and seconds like this means that we need to pull up our socks,” he said.
“We’ll make a few changes to the line-up for the next game and polish up a few areas for when we take on the Waghi Tumbe,”Andiki said.
He said the side’s attitude had been an issue and as their desire and commitment had dropped during the course of the match and if they did not work hard for each other they would not be able to get into winning positions.
The Lahanis for their part competed hard against the Muruks but were guilty of also missing their share of opportunities but nevertheless stayed in the contest and levelled the scores in the final quarter before conceding a late try to the Muruks.