Tigers ready to maul struggling Lions in Lae

By GABRIEL LAHOC

IT will be the clash of the big cats this Sunday at the Lae rugby league ground in round two of the Digicel Cup competition when the Lae Snax Tigers host TNA Chimbu Lions.

The revamped Tigers are without speedster Travis Waninara and influential forward Mark Mexico who are with the Agmark Rabaul Gurias.

They will look to add another home ground victory after beating the Wamp Nga Hagen Eagles 18-14 last Sunday.

The Lions, on the other hand, suffered one of the heaviest losses in the opening round of the season when they were trampled 40-8 by the Enga Mioks.

They will be determined to av­enge that first loss despite still playing for a second consecutive time away from home.

The Tigers camp under coach Stanley Tepend is well prepared for another home ground baptism of fire in front of Lae fans who in the last season have not fully backed them.

Team manager Tim Rogers said the team was happy with the first two points and were prepared for the clash with Lions.

“We are fine and set to go … we have no injuries and the boys are looking forward to the game,” he said.

While the Lions camp could not be contacted, the Tigers are aware of the hard and aggressive approach by the Lions.

“We won’t take them lightly we will treat them like any game preparation,” Rogers said.

The LRL ground is expected to be filled to capacity, while the pitch surface has improved with the few showers during the past week, providing a great surface.