SP PNG Hunters props Epel Kapinias and Junior Rop are keyed up and ready to lead the pack in this weekend’s Hostplus Cup season opener against the Western Clydesdales in Toowoomba.
Kapinias and Rop complement each other in styles and offer coach Stanley Tepend equal measures of explosive power and a rumbling consistency that will hopefully set a platform for the rest of the pack and team in the away fixture scheduled for a 2:10pm kickoff at the Clive Berghofer Stadium on Sunday.
Rop starred for the Hunters in the Melanesian Bowl match against Fiji’s Kaiviti Silktails where the rugged ball-runner was at his menacing best in wet conditions at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka last Saturday.
The 28-year-old turned up the heat in a water-logged affair with a hat-trick of tries convincing Tepend to give him a first shot at nailing down a spot in the front-row.
Kapinias put on a typical effort churning out metres through the middle third at a steady clip mirroring his stats from the previous week against the Central Queensland Capras in Port Moresby in the club’s first trial.
The 24-year-old said the Capras (lost 12-20) and Silktails (won 26-12) trial matches were crucial lead-ups for the Hunters especially its forwards.
“We had to work on a few things from the Capras trials which we did against the Silktails in the Melanesian Bowl,” Kapinias said.
“Everything is working well for the forwards at the moment, we just need to be smart, creative and master our skills.
“For me, I’m ready and looking forward to this weekend and hopefully lead the boys to victory.”
Despite the absence of front-row recruit Koso Badi, Kapinias and Rop along with the support of skipper Ila Alu, Julius Yakopa and Sherwin Tanabi should pose enough ability and experience to contend with what the Clydesdales muster.
Tommy Moide and veteran Henry Wan Noki provide enough muscle and moving power off the bench to continue the momentum.
“Our combinations look good even with Koso still recovering from his injury sustained during preseason training,” Kapinias said yesterday.
“We’ve managed and communicated well among ourselves during every training session to get the little things right.”
The East New Britain native, who despite his age is one of the most experienced campaigners in the club, has vowed to lead through action and won’t shirk the load and should set the contest up nicely for the wrecking balls in Moide and Wan to come on and ratchet up the intensity.
Kapinias had encouraging words for Moide, who is debuting in the Q-Cup.
“I was nervous at first but was happy to make my debut. My advice (for Moide) is just stay calm, relaxed and play,” Kapinias said at squad’s training yesterday.
News source www.thenational.com.pg
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