Tigers lift on defence

 LAE Tigers coach Stanley Tepend praised his side’s defensive effort in their 16-0 win over the visiting Simbu Lions last Sunday.

Tepend said it was the type of form that would see his side go a long way in the 2015 Digicel Cup competition.

“It was a classic defensive effort from my guys. They just wanted it more,” Tepend said of the weekend’s match at the Lae Rugby League Ground.  

The former Kumul said the Lions were a strong side and dismissed any suggestion that the Kundiawa-based team were pretenders.

“The beat us (18-0) the last time we played up in their home ground. They played really well that day and they did it again on Sunday. They are definitely no fluke but we just played beyond ourselves and I’m really proud of that.”

The Tigers took a 16-0 lead into the break and according to Tepend went up another gear, especially on defence, to keep the Simbus out in the second 40.

“That was probably our best defensive effort so far this year. I thought our halves, Charlie Simon and Mafu Kales, had great games and our hooker Noel Joel was very strong out of dummy half as well.”

Tepend said his team would need the same attitude on defence when they travel to Mendi, Southern Highlands, this weekend to play the defending champions, the Hela Wigmen.

“We respect the Wigmen. They are a champion side with some great players. They lost narrowly in their last two matches on the road to the Gurias and the Lahanis so I guess they’ll be up for this game at home. We just have be serious about what we want to achieve and go up there and do it.”