Wigmen snare Abavu, Mone for Digicel Cup

The National Sports

HELA Wigmen have named SP Hunters backs Bland Abavu and William Mone, and former Goroka Lahanis fullback Norman Brown in the final 34-man squad for the upcoming Digicel Cup season.
As part of the preseason, the Kroton-sponsored side face Queensland Intrust Super Cup side Wynnum Manly in Brisbane on Feb 21.
“We thank Wynnum Manly, Queensland Ruby League and Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League for allowing us to showcase and expose our local talent,” the club said in a statement.
“We are grateful to our sponsors for providing an alternate pathway to expose our talent.”
The team will then return to Port Moresby before they travel to Fiji to face New South Wales Intrust Super side Kaviti Slicktails as a curtain-raiser to the Melanesian Cup match between the Lae Tigers and Ravoravo Rabbitohs on Feb 29.
“It has been a grueling 10 weeks of off season preparation for us,” the club said. “The squad assembled have withstood the test of time, endurance and resilience. The process gets to filter those who are hungry and want to excel.
“We have raw talent and seasoned campaigners. The standard and expectation we demand is one that is based on discipline and respect.
“We are happy with our coaching team led by Charlie Wabo who has done a wonderful job in getting the team prepared.
“Our selection and development pathway with local leagues in Hela continues to improve with players being drafted after our annual peace tournament in Hela in December.
“In 2018, the tournament was hosted by Koroba Rugby League and this year, we are looking at Komo Rugby League as host.
“Some of this talent will travel overseas for the first time and play at a higher level of competition.”
Squad: Junior Igila, Eddie Timuku, Kobu Piju, Dickson Halimbu, Kennedy Telenge, Autua Nagoya, Solo Wane, Sylvester Bulu, Bland Abavu, Joel Torombe, Kitron Laka, Rodney Part, Norman Brown, Judah Rimbu, Tomball Peter, Michael Toane, Dobi Michael, Samuel Yegip, Junior Mel, Ham Tina, Agiru Ako, Raymond Tia, Terry Karap, Ricky Hokira, Jeffrey Robert, Roger David, John Dom, Jeremiah Wakal, William Mone, Cliff Denge, Valentine Culligan, Mathew Pakana, Nanduka Rame, Samuel Arako.