Tigers selections on

 By LARRY ANDREW

LAE Tigers are close to finalising their squad for the Digicel Cup with a selection trial set for this weekend.

The Snax Tigers lost five players to the SP PNG Hunters with other three others opting to break ties with the club for personal reasons.

So far Agmark Gurias, Mendi Muruks, Gulf Isapea have named their squads while reigning premiers Port Moresby Vipers are reported to have flown to Cairns for trial matches.

Enga Mioks who are known to have drawn players from the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup are likely to delay announcing their squad until after this competition is completed, which at this stage is towards the end of March.  

Mt Hagen Eagles, Hela Wigmen, Goroka Lahanis and Simbu Warriors are yet to publicise their plans but are obviously putting their teams together.    

Lae Biscuit Company will again be the major sponsor for the franchise with support from other firms.

Coach Stanley Tepend said the three weekends of Lae Biscuit sponsored Super 9’s challenge concept had given them an opportunity to identify new talent. 

Those selected from the Super 9’s challenge will be called Tiger Orange and will be coached by John Milba while he will coach the current players in the Tiger Black team in this weekend’s trial.

“This trial match is a first and players who put an impressive performance will be called up to be in the team,” says Tepend.

The final squad of 25-man will play Lahanis in the annual trial match on March 25 before taking on Mendi Muruks in the season opener.