Simbu Lions get flogging

By JOHN SUPA
TNA Simbu Lions’ preparations for the Digicel Cup challenge this season took a nose-dive when they were given a 36-0 thrashing by reigning champions Bintangor Goroka Lahanis at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands.
The kings of the jungle failed to roar against a new breed of Lahanis under coach Peter Danga.
The Lahanis outplayed their opponents in all phases.
The Lions’ defence and attack were pathetic and failed to find their composure in the match.
 TNA managing director and Lions franchise owner Gerard Philips will instruct his France coach Pierre Vandom to fine-tune the Lions in the next two weeks before the season kicks off this month.
Former Enga Mioks prop Esau Siune, former Kumul Anton Kui, halfback Willie Guambo, seasoned campaigners Andrew Sipil and Sonny Daing failed to inspire the new cubs.
If fitness was the Lions’ problem, size was the other factor because it was apparent the Lions were like school boys playing against an experienced bunch.
Vandom said there were problems in their defence and attack which needed to be rectified. Since taking over as coach he had been working with the players for the past 10 days and realised there was a lot to be done to lift their fitness level.
In regard to the actions of a young official who threatened the Lahanis players, Vandom said he would address his players’ performance rather than be distracted by an individual whose actions did not reflect the Lions.
The Lahanis had rugged forward Damien Bage, Janis Aitapo, Danny Holle, Abraham Guri and Lawrence Kuso Jr who were destructive up front.
In the backs, scrum halves Nathan Millie, Sonny Billy, Cedric Singip, Robin Soga, Felix Tatsim and Solomon Joseph proved their worth to cement their positions in the Lahanis.
The game played in quarters, saw both sides fight a scoreless first quarter. And with fatigue creeping into the Lions’ players, the Lahanis piled on 16 points through Holle, Singip and winger Noel Zeming.
The Lahanis added more tries in the third through fullback Adex Kudoo Wera and Tatsim to increase their lead to 26-0. Two more tries to Wera and Aitapo sealed the match for the hosts.