Winless premiers

DIGICEL ExxonMobil Cup 2023 grand finalists Enga Mioks and Goroka Lahanis are yet to win a game as the competition goes into round four this weekend.
It is a shocking start for the two teams but after losing several key players and a coach to other franchises including the SP PNG Hunters, the results are somewhat expected.
Mioks have lost Junior Talin, Seal Kalo, Manisha Kai to the SP-sponsored Hunters, Francis Sam, Job Kar (Tumbe) and veteran Supa Kokote which is already having a huge bearing on their show this season.
The Bintangor-sponsored Lahanis have lost Israel Balio to the Mt Hagen Eagles while Palangat Kanini and Lanike Poi followed coach Charlie Wabo to the Port Moresby Vipers.
The Goroka-based outfit have struggled with firepower in the middle after losing rookie forward Manu Sent who has joined Central Queensland Capras in the Hostplus Cup this season.
Mioks coach Billy Gau and reappointed Lahanis mentor Gonzellah Urakusie have been adamant that players’ exit was not an excuse for the teams’ poor performances.
Defending premiers Mioks who were unbeaten throughout the 2023 season are sitting 10th on the ladder with two losses and a draw.
They will be aiming to break the ice on Sunday but it will be another tough ask as they face an in-form Hela Wigmen at the National Football Stadium (2pm kick-off).
The Lahanis will face Gulf Isou in the following game on Sunday.
Despite losing in the opening round of the season against Mendi Muruks, the Wigmen are going through a purple patch with back-to-back wins and they will be hungry to make it three straight wins.
Wigmen coach Seth Rip said last week that his men were finding their rhythm in the season but they want to better their performances each week.
Mioks forwards in Richard Bill, Ismael Gibson and Limbi Henry will have huge task as they have to match the Wigmen counterparts who will feature an experienced pack led by Manu Kame, Atua Joshu and Jacob Lot.
In other matches, the unbeaten Mendi Muruks will face Port Moresby Vipers in the first match of the double header at the Lae Rugby League Ground on Sunday (12:45pm kick-off).
The second match in Lae will see the host, Lae Tigers take on Rabaul Gurias (3pm kick-off).
In Minj, Jiwaka, the Mt Hagen Eagles will host Central Dabaris which will be the only match played on Saturday.