Southern players are ideal for Cup: Mairi

By JACK AMI
SOUTHERN Confederation director Gwaibo Mairi says his men’s team is just as good as any side in the Digicel Cup.
Mairi said his confederation were a class above the rest as they dominated the national championships to win the titles in all the divisions (Under-20s, men and women).
Mairi said the performance by his senior and new players was incredible and it indicated that they were ready for the semi-professional competition.
However , Mairi said he was disappointed that Digicel Cup scouts were not present at the Lae Rugby League Ground where the championships were being held.
“This is where the franchises should pick up quality players and turn them into high-profile stars and start a career in the Digicel Cup,” he said.
Mairi said some Digicel Cup players were aging but franchises were refusing to release them, denying the opportunity for youngsters to make the competition.
He said the confederation was dominated by the Port Moresby Rugby League (PRL), which is seen as a nursery for franchises in the Digicel Cup.
“The squad we had selected for the national championships are some of the best prospects on the market,” Mairi said.
Mairi said he was proud of PRL as the premier league in the country which has produced so many Kumuls.
“I have a lot of respect for PRL as their existence since 1949 has provided the country with some of the finest players around,” he said.