The Kroton Hela Wigmen have secured their spot in the 2024 Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup Grand Final, following a 20-12 victory over the KMHL Enga Mioks during their Preliminary Final clash on Sunday, September 8th, at the sold-out Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Going with the winning momentum at their back after thrashing the Lae Snax Tigers last weekend in the Semi Final, the high-flying Wigmen flexed their muscles and brought the Mioks into submission, scoring three tries and taking a decisive 20-6 lead at half time.
However, the Kroton-sponsored Wigmen failed to maintain their ascendency in the second half due to ill-discipline and ball handling errors. After several attempts of finding the try line, the Billy Gau-coached Mioks scored a much-needed try to keep the game alive, narrowing the margin to 20-12.
While the defending champions (Mioks) kept mounting pressure on the Wigmen to pull off an upset, the Ian Yaro-coached men held their resolve and defended their line courageously. Wigmen’s impregnable defence kept the Mioks at bay, ending the match in a gritty 20-12 win.
Chief playmaker Solomon Pokare had an impressive afternoon, directing the flow of the traffic and slotting four conversions from four attempts. Utility Jacob Lot also had a blinder with his strong hit ups, while veteran Manu Kame held the fort in the middle-third with his signature brutal defence, and fullback Kaupa Supa left the Mioks in their wake with his speed and elusiveness.
The Wigmen have a reputation of defying odds and causing upsets against the favourites. They had finished outside of the top 4 a couple of times and made it to the big dance, snatching the prized-silverware. This year is a repetition of what had happened in previous seasons. Wigmen thrive at the back being called underdogs.
Rookie coach Ian Yaro, who joined the Hela Wigmen earlier this year, succeeding Seth Rip, was happy and humbled to lead the Kroton-backed franchise to the grand final against the Wamp Nga Mount Hagen Eagles, and look forward to the challenge.
“We’ve been sitting in the 11th spot and we had to fight our way to make the top 6. It’s been such a journey for us to come this far and make the grand final. I give credit back to the boys,” coach Yaro said.
“I just joined the team this year after leaving the Hunters last year. I knew all along that that’s what I wanted to do. A transition into a coaching role is not an easy ride, but I’ve worked with a lot of people and they helped me throughout my career.
“I want to take that premiership. That’s the main goal of me and the team. I think it will be a bonus for me as a rookie coach to go all the way and win the grand final. It will be awesome.”
Coach Yaro will be sticking with the same lineup when the Kroton Hela Wigmen go head-to-head with the Wamp Nga Mount Hagen Eagles in the 2024 Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup Grand Final showdown on Sunday, September 15th, at Santos National Football Stadium.
PC: Kroton Hela Wigmen Rugby League Team_FB
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