Discipline is key

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea Hunters forward Epel Kapinias is urging his teammates to lift their game in the annual ‘Kokoda Cup’ clash against the Burleigh Bears on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The round 6 fixture of the Hostplus Cup will see coach Stanley Tepend’s men hungry to get a win and avoid a three-game losing streak.
Kapinias yesterday said they needed to improve their discipline on the field and minimise handling errors, which were key factors they failed at in the loss against Northern Pride in Cairns last week.
“We really need to avoid giving away too many penalties which only puts our defence under a lot of pressure,” the former Rabaul Guria said.
“Handling errors is a concern and we need to cut down.
“We started the season strong in the first two rounds but I think that confidence and momentum just died against the Pride.
“We just have to bring that confidence back and regain the momentum. Every game is important and the Kokoda Cup clash is special and it would be a good feeling to win it.”
Fellow front-rower Junior Rop stressed on discipline on the field.
“We went to a two-week break and when we returned in action against the Pride, I think we were too flat and that vibe of competing wasn’t there.
“Discipline is key and we need to get it right.
“Discipline in defence and in attack as well. “There are other areas of our game that we need to improve on and hopefully we show that in the game against Bears.”
Hunters are 11th on the 15-team competition while Bears are fourth on the lader.
A win for the Hunters could see them go into top six.