Rhys eyeing champs

By JACK AMI
PETER Rhys is aiming to win major honours in his debut as Southern Confederation men’s coach at the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League National Championships which start in Lae today.
Rhys, who coaches Royals in the Port Moresby Rugby League A-Grade competition, has been tasked by confederation director Gwaibo Mairi to restore some pride in the jumper.
He coached Brothers to win the PRL premiership against Defence in 2015 and in 2016 lost to Souths in the grand final.
“This is my first time to manage the Southern men’s squad and I’m confident we will put in some strong performances if we all work as a unit,” said Rhys, who won the 2015 PRL title with Defence. The 47-year-old Chimbu native told The National that the squad were made up of experienced hands and promising talent.
He said leading the charge would be Stanley Olo, Presley Soto, Pipi Gari, Iru Dikana, Tukul Tapako, Jamie Mavoko and Daru Wanpis Tuli as they look to set the foundation against reigning champions Highlands, Northern and the New Guinea Islands.
“We are the premier league. We don’t want to play second fiddle to Highlands, Northern and NGI.”
Rhys thanked Mairi for having the confidence in him to coach the men’s squad at the championships.
The championships kick off with the women’s division followed by the Under-20s tomorrow and the men’s division on Friday.