Tigers coach to turn fortune around

THE Digicel Cup challenge mounts for new Snax Tigers coach Stanley Tepend, when his side meets a fresh Agmark Gurias in Sunday’s week 13 “Bismarck clash” at the Lae Rugby League ground.
In a week marred by the combined 36-week suspensions of Kumul George Moni and Jerry Kutz, Tepend’s immediate focus besides turning the struggling team’s season around, is on the return of Kumul star Dion Aiye for the Gurias this weekend.
The playmaker has been out of action since breaking his jaw in Goroka eight weeks ago, and is due to play a vital role in the former intercity league champions’ trek to the playoffs.
Tepend, a former Kumul himself has had to prepare his side “under the pump” with cries for results from the Tigers’ faithful.
He also faces crucial selection decisions as a result of the suspensions.
The heavy penalties for Moni and Kutz came after their part in last Sunday’s brawls.
It’s a hard ask after a long week at the office, but sure to be harder come Sunday when the Kokopo men arrive in Lae.
It has been a long time for Gurias coach Michael Marum but he finally looks to have 90% of a full strength and experienced side in the run home.
Up the Highlands Highway, Mendi Muruks travel to Kundiawa with a lot to make up for after a half-hearted 22-10 win in Port Moresby over bottom-placed Gulf Isapeas.
Lions coach Pierre Vandome does not really care what the opposition will do, only what his side can do.
Further up in Enga is “the rumble in the jungle”, where leading contenders, Port Moresby Vipers and Enga Mioks, will battle to re-establish who the real deal is for this year.
The Vipers won the teams’ last encounter 24-16 in week four in May at the PRL, and the Mioks will want to settle the score before a possible match-up in the finals.
Coach Shane Morris will be looking to Larsen Marabe’s return and the fitness of Sebastian Pandia, Enoch Maki and Dick Nap up front to withstand the expected continuous pounding, and a backline aggression ready to attack anything loose within the Mioks’ 30m.
Mioks, on the other hand, are sure to keep the heat on up front and create their own luck straight up without fancy play.
Under the radar all week ahead of this Sunday however, the Isapeas may be the surprise package of the round going by the slow build up since their bye, and the promise of a bigger performance that they have yet to unleash.