Tigers eyeing Gurias scalp

Tepend’s men aiming to keep title defence intact

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE Tigers will aim to keep their title defence intact when they host Digicel Cup leaders Rabaul Gurias at the Lae Rugby League ground on Sunday (1.15pm kick-off).
Tigers coach Stanley Tepend said he was looking forward to the top-of-the-table clash as the hosts look to continue their perfect start to the season.
“Tigers-Gurias fixtures are always great,” the former Papua New Guinea Kumuls five-eighth said after the reigning champions beat the Central Dabaris 40-10 in round two at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday.
“We just have to worry about ourselves first and then concentrate on Gurias later.
“They had a win too (last weekend) and it’ll be interesting but it’s only the start of the season.
“Some teams have won two in a row so we’ll probably see where we are (as a team) when we face the Gurias.
“If we can play like this in the next few games, I think at the back end of the season we can achieve some goals for our 10th anniversary.”
Meanwhile, Gurias coach Marcus Kaugla is eager to improve despite his side, who boast the competition’s best attack alongside the Tigers, scoring 68 points in the first two rounds.
“We’ll be going back to the basics, our completion rate was poor and we still need to work as a team in that area,” he said of his side, who have the best defence in the competition.
“For our defensive structures, we still have one or two areas to work on.
“Our 38-2 win over Gulf Isou doesn’t mean we’re perfect.
“We need to forget about the win and prepare for the Tigers.
“We need to keep improving as the season continues.”
The halves battle will see Gurias skipper Watson Boas and Allan Simbiri face Tigers’ Mark Tony and Charlie Simon.
SP Hunters pair Junior Rop and Mark Piti will be out to test the Gurias defence led by Jordan Pat and Tuvi Lepan.
Fixtures: Sat, July 18 — Eagles v Isou, Muruks v Vipers; Sun, July 19 — Dabaris v Cutters, Wigmen v Lahanis, Tigers v Gurias, Tumbe v Mioks.