Tigers looking to replace lost players

 TIGERS Black beat Tigers Orange 12-10 in the Lae Tigers selection trail last Saturday at the Lae rugby league ground.

Team manager for the Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored team Tim Rodgers said final squad would be announced on the weekend.

The Black pack containing a majority of the 2013 roster could only manage a two-point win over an Orange side whose only Digicel Cup players were veteran prop Jerry Kutz and Michael Gawi.

Orange captain Bernard Lama put in an impressive effort in a side made up mostly of players picked from last month’s Lae Super Nines.

Black’s Robert Vuai scored a brace while former Goroka Lahanis and Kumuls captain Glen Nami, pictured, coordinated play at five-eighth.

Lock Ishmael Balkawa and centre Jason Tali had strong games, but the overall performance was scrappy with handling errors affecting set completions and the general flow of the trial.

The Lae Tigers lost four players – Willie Minoga, Thompson Teteh, George Benson, Wellington Albert, to the PNG Hunters and the Penrith Panthers and are looking to fill the vacancies.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s XIII forward Petero Sanivalu did not play but instead ran the drinks on and assisted as the club officials. 

The Fijian is expected to retain his spot in the Tigers’ cup squad.