PAPUA New Guinea Hunters captain Israel Eliab is ready to lead his side into battle against the Souths Logan Magpies on Saturday at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
Eliab called on Hunters fans and league fans in the capital to come and support the side and he was sure the team would rise to the occasion.
“I just want to say to our fans that it is going to be an exciting showdown as we are keen and excited to get on that field and make a little history as it will be our first match in Port Moresby,” he said
The 24-year old said the vibe in the team was good as the players were preparing for their biggest home match.
With a packed stadium expected for the 7pm match, Eliab said the players were excited and raring to go not just to get their seventh win on the trot but to soak in the atmosphere at a Pacific Games test event.
“The boys have been looking forward to the game ever since we were told, but we always just put it aside to take on the games that were ahead of us,” Eliab said from Kokopo yesterday.
“But this weekend, we are all psyched up, and words can’t express how excited we are,” the five-eighth said.
After last weekend’s involvement in a dangerous contact against the Ipswich Jets which got him on report, Eliab was cleared yesterday and said he was ready to lead.
He said he would expect no less than 100 per cent from his teammates.
Knowing that this weekend’s game is unique and a big occasion, Eliab said the bottom line would be to earn the Queensland Cup points and entertain the fans at the same time.
“We’re confident in ourselves that we can win this match but we know we still have to earn it by competing for the whole 80 minutes.
“I’ve got faith in the guys. They’ve been outstanding over the last few games.”
Supporting his captain’s vision, Hunters coach Michael Marum said beating the Magpies, who are third-last on the ladder, would be great for them and the fans at the new stadium but he agreed that they needed to focus on the getting the result above all else.
Eliab thanked the Government, the Pacific Games Organising Committee, the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and all involved in making the weekend’s match possible. The National
Eliab called on Hunters fans and league fans in the capital to come and support the side and he was sure the team would rise to the occasion.
“I just want to say to our fans that it is going to be an exciting showdown as we are keen and excited to get on that field and make a little history as it will be our first match in Port Moresby,” he said
The 24-year old said the vibe in the team was good as the players were preparing for their biggest home match.
With a packed stadium expected for the 7pm match, Eliab said the players were excited and raring to go not just to get their seventh win on the trot but to soak in the atmosphere at a Pacific Games test event.
“The boys have been looking forward to the game ever since we were told, but we always just put it aside to take on the games that were ahead of us,” Eliab said from Kokopo yesterday.
“But this weekend, we are all psyched up, and words can’t express how excited we are,” the five-eighth said.
After last weekend’s involvement in a dangerous contact against the Ipswich Jets which got him on report, Eliab was cleared yesterday and said he was ready to lead.
He said he would expect no less than 100 per cent from his teammates.
Knowing that this weekend’s game is unique and a big occasion, Eliab said the bottom line would be to earn the Queensland Cup points and entertain the fans at the same time.
“We’re confident in ourselves that we can win this match but we know we still have to earn it by competing for the whole 80 minutes.
“I’ve got faith in the guys. They’ve been outstanding over the last few games.”
Supporting his captain’s vision, Hunters coach Michael Marum said beating the Magpies, who are third-last on the ladder, would be great for them and the fans at the new stadium but he agreed that they needed to focus on the getting the result above all else.
Eliab thanked the Government, the Pacific Games Organising Committee, the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and all involved in making the weekend’s match possible. The National
