No love lost for Bulldog ex-coach

There will be no love lost when coach Meti Noovao guides Avatiu Eels against his former club Titikaveka Bulldogs in the domestic league competition today.

The two sides will meet at The Swamp for the feature round six battle in the Raro Cars Rugby League Competition 2019.

Noovao, the former Bulldogs coach, is now mentoring the Eels and he expects his old team to come out strong to prove a point against him in today’s tussle.

“Surely there will be no love lost but I’m sure the boys from the other side will come out wanting to prove something against their old coach,” Noovao said. “I’m not worried about that, I’m just focusing on playing good footy.”

Local commentator George George said the team with a better discipline and greater desire to win would claim the maximum points today.

George also said the Eels were let down by their ill-discipline. “I think the issue with Avatiu is their ill-discipline. They got the players that can win them the games but it’s just the discipline that needs to improve. They are giving away a lot of penalties and some of them are getting sinbinned. The Eels have played couple of matches with 10 or 12 players,” George said.

Noovao conceded discipline was an area they needed to work on and said the onus was on the players to do the basics right. George said the Bulldogs have a good mix of old and new players cannot be underestimated although heading into the match as the underdogs.

In the other premier match today, the Warriors will host Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles, which is the only unbeaten team in the competition.

Last night, the Sharks hosted defending champions Tupapa Panthers.

Fixtures

Happy Valley Field – 3pm Reserves Tupapa Panthers-Nga/Matavera Sea Eagles, 4.30pm Premier Takuvaine Warriors-Nga/Matavera Sea Eagles; The Swamp – 4.30pm Avatiu Eels-Titikaveka Bulldogs.