Soto provided release letter to Dabaris, says Pepena

Sports

CENTRAL Dabaris coach Gairo Pepena said new recruit and former Port Moresby Vipers rake Presley Soto had provided a release letter from his former employers prior to joining the club.
He said that when asked by The National on Wednesday whether the No.9 had followed the proper processes prior to the mid-season Digicel Cup transfer last month.
“I named Soto in my starting side last week because he had proof of a release letter from the Vipers management,” Pepena said. The coach said that was all he knew about the situation.
“I will not make any further comment,” he said.
“The right people who can clarify the whole process are Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition officials.”
Meanwhile, Pepena said he would make changes to his 17-man line-up for their round-five clash with Port Moresby Vipers at the Oil Search National Football Stadium tomorrow (1pm kick-off).
He made the comment after his men recorded their second loss of the season in their round-four match against defending champions Hela Wigmen last weekend.
The eight-placed Central government-sponsored Dabaris have so far recorded two losses, one win and a draw in the 2021 season of the country’s premier rugby league competition.
“We seem to contest well in the first half, but we just can’t finish the game,” he said in reference to their losses against Lae Tigers (16-40) and the Wigmen (14-36).
“We are taking the wrong options which do not help.
“We had our opposition on the ropes, but we couldn’t build pressure.
“A lot of our players will be axed for out next game (against the Vipers).”
Meanwhile, the Dabaris lost former SP Hunters playmaker Nicky Hasu through injury in round three.
Specialist rake Dobbie Michael was named as Hasu’s replacement last week.