The battle lines have been drawn for this Sunday’s Digicel Cup curtain raiser match between the Kroton Hela Wigmen and the Agmark Rabaul Gurias in Port Moresby.
The Wigmen started off their season well with a 20-12 win over the PRK Mendi Muruks, and put on a gutsy performance to go down narrowly to the Lae Snax Tigers 20-16 in round two.
Last week saw them overcome Bintangor Goroka Lahanis with a 20-12 win to make it two wins from three games.
The Gurias had a nightmare of a start to their 2017 campaign, being handed a 40-0 beating by the Tigers.
But Steven Nightingale’s men bounced back with two wins, beating Lahanis 24-12 and Waghi Tumbe 24-14.
Both teams are equal on four competition points, but the Wigmen are in second place with a better for and against while the Gurias sit in fourth spot.
The Wigmen will be banking on their backline, which have been very consistent this season. Junior Rau has been a revelation at full back after the transition from centre to fullback while centres David Lapua and rising star Stanford Talita have been a handful for their opponents.
Winger Ian Maliaba has also been outstanding, having scored six tries from three games.
Despite losing senior players Samuel Hamari, Chris Jerry and Jimmy Peter Jnr, the Gurias still have a lot of firepower left with the experience of former Hunters players Tuvi Lepan, William Aquila and John Ragi Jr to lead, while playmaker Stanley Olo dictates play in the middle.
This Sunday’s game kicks off at 1pm at the National Football Stadium and will be followed by the SP Hunters and Townsville Blackhawks fixture.