Boas brothers to face off

Wigmen eyeing Dabaris scalp, Eagles ready for hosts Tumbe

**Port Moresby Vipers’ Thompson Teteh taking on the Central Dabaris defence in round seven of the Digicel Cup at Sir John Guise Stadium on Sunday. – Nationalpic by JOEL HAMARI**

By PARKER TAMBUA
BROTHERS Ase and Watson Boas will face each other for the first time in their rugby league careers when the Port Moresby Vipers host the Rabaul Gurias on Sunday (3.30pm kick-off).
They have played together at club (Gurias and SP Hunters) and representative (Papua New Guinea Kumuls) levels but this time, they will be on opposing sides in the round-eight Digicel Cup clash at Sir John Guise Stadium.
Younger brother Watson told The National yesterday that it was business as usual despite looking up to 31-year-old fellow playmaker Ase as his role model.
“This is the first time we’ll face each other in our rugby league careers,” the 25-year-old five-eighth said.
“It’s a strange feeling but I can’t wait to get out there and experience it.
“But family aside, I am playing for my Gurias and he (Ase) is playing for his team.
“This game is important to us so we’re aiming for a win.”
Vipers coach Leonard Tarum said his men, who boast the best defence in the 12-team competition, were not getting carried away after recording four wins in a row.
“We want to move further up the ladder,” he said of his fourth-placed Vipers.
“It will mean a lot if we can continue our winning run on Sunday.”
Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up Hela Wigmen will be looking to cement second spot with a win over the ninth-placed Central Dabaris in the earlier match of Port Moresby’s double-header (1.15pm).
“I’m expecting my forwards to maintain their dominance in our next game (against Dabaris),” Wigmen coach Charlie Wabo said.
“In the backs, Stanford Talita will come off the bench.
“(Playmaker) Solomon Pokari is likely to return and Tony Wemin will come off the bench so we are set.” After being held to an 18-18 draw with the Kimbe Cutters, winless cellar dwellers Mt Hagen Eagles will look to go one better when they face hosts Waghi Tumbe at John Ambane Oval in Minj tomorrow (2pm).
In Lae’s double-header on Sunday, the Mendi Muruks will look to bounce back from their 2-48 loss to the Gurias when they face Gulf Isou (1pm) and the eighth-placed Enga Mioks will fancy their chances against the Kimbe Cutters (3.15pm).
Hosts Goroka Lahanis will count on home advantage as they aim to hand ladder leaders and defending champions Lae Tigers their first loss of the season at the National Sports Institute on Sunday (2pm).