Tigers look ahead

By KEITH PUARIA
AS hard as it is for the Port Moresby Vipers without Larsen Marabe for this Sunday’s Digicel Rugby League Cup match, Lae Snax Tigers come to Port Moresby ‘hardened’ after a long month at home.
“We’ve come through very tough times, it’s been a tough year for the players, supporters and sponsor,” coach Stanley Tepend said.
“Our depth has been tested through suspensions and injuries, and we have things on and off the field that we have to get right.
“We’ve picked ourselves up and worked on where we have been lacking with a focus on just finishing off the season strongly and build on that for next year.” 
The Tigers arrive in the capital tomorrow.
Lae, meanwhile, is expected to turn red as reigning champions Bintangor Goroka Lahanis take on the TNA Simbu Lions.
Initially scheduled to be played at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, an incident in week 11 saw the PNG National Rugby League move all Lahanis home games to Lae until the management put up a fence around the playing area.
As intense as preparations have been in the week after the 32-4 loss to Gurias in Kokopo, Goroka fans have rallied behind their team all week, with a big crowd expected to make the trip down the Highlands Highway.
Coach Peter Danga’s return to the Lahanis camp earlier this week is sure to instil confidence in the  rattled Goroka team as they aim for a top five place.  
“It’s (his return) for the good of the team, and the province,” Danga said.
“Players are excited and training is very intense so we are looking good.”

Uncertainty had surrounded Danga’s involvement with the team since he got left behind two weeks ago, however it is understood he had returned after demands from the supporters.
Representative centre Thompson Teteh remains on the sidelines this week with high school student Felix Tatsim filling the vacancy.
With four games remaining in the season every win is vital for the defending premiers. But their situation is compounded by the fact that they will have to secure the eight points on the road.
In Wabag, Enga Mioks host fellow highlanders Wantok Gaming Systems Mt Hagen Eagles at Johnson Siki Oval.
Both sides are in contention for the finals and are not looking for anything less than a win.
Agmark Gurias are home again this weekend to the bottom placed Gulf Isapeas who won’t go down without a fight, even at the graveyard, Kalabond.
The SBSL Mendi Muruks have managed to climb to third place on the ladder and will get an extra two points this week with the bye.