Tigers leaning on Ipape, Gebbie

By ROBINSON LEKA
FORMER Rabbitoh Edene Gebbie is expected to make his debut for Digicel Cup defending champions Lae Tigers when they face fellow unbeaten side Central Dabaris in Port Moresby on Sunday.
Under coach Stanley Tepend, the Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored side are favourites for the round-two fixture at Sir John Guise Stadium (3.30pm kick-off).
He will be counting on Papua New Guinea Kumuls pair Edwin Ipape and Gebbie, and SP Hunters stars Joe Joshua, Mark Pitti, Junior Rop to dominate the hosts, who are into their second season in the country’s premier rugby league competition.
They also have former SP Hunters trio Butler Morris, Noel Joel and Warren Glare, and national nines representative Sonny Wabo.
The Melanesia Cup champions sent the other 11 Digicel Cup clubs a glaring reminder of their title credentials when their cruised past visitors Waghi Tumbe with a 28-8 round-one win.
Meanwhile, the Dabaris will be looking to build on their 18-6 win over Gulf Isou last weekend with head coach Bagelo Solien naming Hela Wigmen recruit Jerry Teme at halfback alongside five-eighth Junior Belo.
Solien has also named former SP Hunter David Loko at second-row alongside skipper Rex Kaupa who missed the opening round due to illness.
He said they needed to polish their attack and defence after a “scrappy game” in round one.
“It comes back to the basics,” Solien said.
“We want to set our defence right and start strong from the get-go. “Scrappy football probably comes after a lack of competition over the last six months but we’re looking to improve against the Tigers.”
Fixtures: Sat, July 11 – Lahanis v Vipers, Cutters v Tumbe; Sun, July 12 – Isou v Gurias, Dabaris v Tigers, Mioks v Wigmen, Eagles v Muruks.