Rookies backed

By ROBINSON LEKA
CENTRAL Dabaris have backed their rookies and new signings to boost the club’s 2021 Digicel Cup campaign as they prepare for their season opener against Gulf Isou at Port Moresby’s Oil Search National Football Stadium on Sunday (3.30pm kick-off). Coach Gairo Pepena told The National that he was looking forward to seeing his halves pairing of former SP Hunters playmaker Nick Hasu at five-eighth alongside halfback and pioneer Dabari Sebastian Gaudi. He has also named Digicel Cup rookies Andrew Solo and Angewa Palo at centre and on the wing respectively, while Troy Taumu is the 18th man. “Solo is one of the young players we’ve picked from our nines carnival who played for the Kapari-Viriolo team,” Pepena said. “We have been impressed with the way he carries himself since calling him into the squad. “We’re excited to see him in his first game. “Palo is from the Walia club and he was also another talent we picked up from the carnival along with big man Troy Taumu who has been with us since the start of the pre-season. “We’ve been working a lot with Troy in the off-season to get ready for the season and he’ll be the eighteenth man to fit in if we have any of our guys ruled out through injury.” Pepena also noted the inclusion of former Gulf Isou back Josh Erico at fullback, while former Gurias prop Muka Kalu joins co-captain Adam Korave in the front row. “We’ve also been working with Erico, Moses Okopela, Ross Ravu, Kalu and Dobbie Michael who are all experienced at the semi-professional level,” he said. “I’ve picked them to combine with our core group of players from last year.”