Two-try hero

The National Sports

Hela Wigmen’s Emmanuel Waine, right, training at the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance Oval in Port Moresby on Wednesday.
Waine scored two tries in last week’s 13-4 win over the Rabaul Gurias. The Wigmen face Digicel Cup defending champions Goroka Lahanis at the National Football Stadium tomorrow.
– Nationalpic by JACK AMI

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Helas out to spoil party with underdogs tag

THE Kroton Hela Wigmen are relishing the underdog tag heading into their Digicel Cup sudden-death final against defending champions Bintangor Goroka at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby tomorrow.
The winners take on the losers of the major semifinal between minor premiers Lae Snax Tigers and Waghi Tumbe next week.
Wigmen chairman Andy Hetra said: “We came into the finals sitting on sixth spot. There is no pressure on us. We are only here to spoil the party and see where it takes us.
“We were sitting on the bottom of the ladder after losing four in a row at the start of the season.
“We had a slow start to the season after fielding unknown talent.
“Some of our players joined the SP Hunters and others chose greener pastures.
“We understand the Lahanis are in the same boat as us after losing their core premiership players.
“We have regrouped and credit must go to head coach Andiki Andrew and his assistant Charlie Wabo. Wabo is an Eastern Highlander but joined the Hela tribe having started his career with Souths in the Port Moresby Rugby League. He also played for Digicel Cup sides Mendi Muruks, Hela Wigmen and the Port Moresby Vipers.
“It’s good to see Wabo giving something back to the new generation of players.
“Andiki and Wabo have worked so hard to instill self-belief among the players.
“We have an inexperienced side but every player knows what’s at stake. The players want to create their own history and this is their motivation. We know we can do better.
“We only need to remain hungry to win. We are taking it one game at a time.
“We lost to the Lahanis in Goroka earlier in the season and drew with them in Port Moresby. We know the Lahanis will be out in full force to defend their title.
“It is easy to win a Cup but it is even harder to defend it. We have been there before and we know it.”