Maki, four join capital city franchise

SP PNG Hunters prop Enock Maki has signed up with Digicel Cup franchise Port Moresby Vipers for the 2019 season.
Vipers operations manager Paul Komboi confirmed Maki and four other Hunters teammates — Patrick Morea, Shane Haro, Rex Kaupa and Kevin Appo — will play for the National Capital District Commission-sponsored team.
“This is a big bonus for us and we’re looking forward to having Enoch and the boys play for us during the season,” Komboi said.
With the Digicel Cup set to kick off on April 7, the Vipers are most likely to have the Hunters rookies Appo, Kaupa and Haro available for games while the Maki is almost certain to be a starter in Michael Marum’s pack particularly with the Q-Cup club short on experience.
Komboi said the players’ involvement in the Digicel Cup would still be regulated by Hunters as they were contracted to the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored club.
Winger Haro and Morea played for the NCDC side last year while Maki was member of the Vipers that won the 2013 title.
Kaupa has been a bolter in the Hunters squad with the Royals utility expected to cover a number of positions in the back line.
“We’ll need the services of these players whenever they are available throughout the season” Komboi said.