Tigers’ Ipape joins Wynnum Manly

By LARRY ANDREW
LAE Snax Tigers and PNG LNG Kumuls five-eighth Edwin Ipape left the country on Sunday to join Brisbane Q-Cup club Wynnum Manly Seagulls for the 2019 season.
According to Tigers coach Stanley Tepend, Ipape is on a sports visa and contracted for one year for the Gulls.
Tepend said Ipape flew down to Brisbane over the weekend and had his first team training on Monday.
“It’s early yet but they have watched him play in the Digicel Cup and have high expectations for him at the club,” Tepend said.
“There are also two Hunters players, Edene Gabbie and Rhadley Brawa, already with the Seagulls and with Ipape going direct to Q-Cup from Digicel Cup is a good recognition for our competition where players can go direct to other Intrust clubs apart from through the Hunters.”
Tepend speaking well of Edwin said he was a talented players with the required attributes (speed, vision, kicking and passing skills) to be a successful footballer.
He said Ipape would benefit from training in Australia and experiencing the life style.
“Tigers through its sponsor Lae Biscuit and owner Ian Chow and brother Adrian Chow have both supported Edwin and are happy to have him with the Seagulls.
“It’s another massive contribution that the Chow family has done to make sure another young kid from Tigers and PNG can get a chance.
“We hope Edwin can make the most of this opportunity and follow in footsteps of another Tigers man in Justin Olam to the NRL.
“It’s only early and there is a lot of work to be done for Edwin and we can only wish him all the best and the rest is up to him now,” Tepend said.