Tandowa confident of move to back row

Sports
Port Moresby Vipers winger Rex Tandowa securing possession against Hela Wigmen last season.

By PARKER TAMBUA
REX Tandowa’s move from the wing to second row has the Port Moresby Viper geared for a strong campaign in the Digicel Cup this year.
The 24-year-old, a product of Port Moresby Rugby Football League (POMRFL) club Butterflies, told The National last week that his goal this year was to win his first title with the Leonard Tarum-coached Vipers.
Tandowa, from Mendi, Southern Highlands, made his Digicel Cup debut with the Vipers in 2018 and has since been a mainstay of the club.
With the National Capital District’s (NCD) flagship team aiming to break their eight-year title drought this season, Tandowa is confident his second-row move would benefit his game and the team.
“When I was recruited by the Vipers in 2018, I was selected as a fullback,” he said.
“But at that time, the Vipers recruited a lot of fullbacks and it was difficult to secure a spot in the 17.

Vipers winger Rex Tandowa taking on the Mendi Muruks defence in the Digicel Cup at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby last season.
– Nationalfilepics

“So I thought in order to remain in the squad, I had to switch positions and that was when started playing as a winger.
“I enjoyed playing on the wing and got used to scoring tries.
“However, during the recent NCD Governor’s Cup in the offseason, I joined the Port Moresby Menjals.
“That’s when Menjals coach Saku Ank and the late Andrew Stone told me to try switching to second row.
“They said I had the speed and endurance of a second-rower.
“So I played a couple of games in the new position and it turned out I was really good.
“Even before the Governor’s Cup, I played as a forward for Butterflies in the POMRFL finals.
“Somehow the news reached Tarum and he was aware of what I did in the offseason.
“Tarum also watched few of my games with Menjals and he was impressed.
“In the lead-up to the Digicel Cup season, Tarum had given his assurance that I would play some games as a second-rower.

Mendi native and Port Moresby Vipers winger Rex Tandowa attempting to tackle Muruks fullback Dickson Pipi.

“I am really excited because I believe the new role suits my game and skills.”
Tandowa said he was confident that the Moni Plus-sponsored Vipers, who bowed out in last season’s semifinals, would have a successful year.
He said the club management, training and roster would be crucial to their upcoming campaign.
“The Vipers have always recruited well, we have enough talent,” Tandowa said.

Port Moresby Viper Rex Tandowa has shifted from the wing to second row for the upcoming Digicel Cup season.

“From my view, the problem has been management and welfare of the players.
“But with some changes last year under new chairman Dr Newton Albert, the team has re-gained its status as a form team of the Digicel Cup. We missed out on a shot at the title last year.
“But I have all the belief in the world that this year will be our year. I look forward to putting my body on the line in every game as we aim to break our title drought.”