Teams set for Southern comp

TEAMS will be aiming for winning starts when the second-tier Southern Super League National Gaming Control Board Cup kicks off at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby today.
Koiari Nagavas team manager Victor Meia and Dabaris head coach Moses Matuka said they would field rising talents when their sides meet in the fourth game of the day (2.45pm kick-off).
“We are not engaging any Digicel Cup players as we want to give potential prospects a taste of Papua New Guinea’s second-tier rugby league competition,” Matuka said.
“We had decent trial matches against Moresby South Blacks, Buria Reds and Port Moresby Vipers, so I’m hoping for a good start to our campaign.”
Meia said all his players were from the Koiari league and not from outside.
“Our competition has given them match fitness under head coach Norris Selu,” he said.
The majority of the Southern Super League players are registered under Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League- affiliated competitions.
Laumas have picked up former PNG Kumuls, SP Hunters and Digicel Cup players to add experience to their roster.
Meanwhile at Kwikila in Central, Rigo Raiders will host Gulf Isou with the home side seen as favourites to claim victory tomorrow.
The encounter between Motu Koita Lagatois and Eda Bulldogs (Hiri East) has been deferred to a later date.
Raiders and Isou will field strong sides with several former Digicel Cup players but dominated by raw talents and fringe personnel.
Isou manager Raymond Aru said former SP Hunters back Smith Siviri would lead the side.