Test for Vipers

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

DIGICEL Cup rugby league moves into high gear, with blockbuster finals in Kokopo and Port Moresby on Sunday.

The graveyard of visiting teams, the Kalabond, awaits the visiting Port Moresby Vipers eager to prove their doubters wrong against champions Agmark Gurias.

The Gurias are hard to beat on home soil but the Vipers are putting up their hands for a possible upset, going on their good away-form this season.

Gurias coach Michael Marum yesterday said he was expecting a competitive challenge against a team that had a number of Kumul prospects eager to prove themselves. 

“I can only say that apart from Ase Boas, who has tomorrow (today) to prove his fitness we have all our players from last week’s win over the Mioks intact,” he said.

The forwards battle will see Joe Bruno, Travis Waninara, Kevin Frank, Nelson Daplen and Sowei Waulas facing the Vipers engine-room that includes Larson Marabe, Enoch Maki, Adam Korave and Samuel Koim.

The battle around dummy-half between the veteran Charlie Wabo for the Vipers and Wartovo Puara Junior will make for an interesting challenge among the potential Kumul prospects. 

The winner will meet minor premiers, the Gorkoa Lahanis in the major semi-final next Sunday. While the loser gets a second chance against the winner of Lae Tigers and Enga Mioks. 

In the nation’s capital, the Lloyd Robson Oval is expected to be jam-packed for a fiery opening play-off when the bruised and battered Tigers look forward to a re-match with the Mioks.

Their last meeting led to several deaths and injuries to spectators, Tigers vehicles smashed and the Johnson Siki Oval in Wabag being scrapped off the venue list. 

With the loser to hang up their boots for the season, city residents can expect a cracker of a match-up between two of the more aggressive sides in the competition.

For the Tigers, power-puncher on the wing George Benson will be the man to watch as he tries to add value to his selection in the last Kumul training camp.

The Mioks will only get mileage if the hard running David Loko and Esau Siune are not covered well off the fringes of the rucks.  

Mioks coach Timothy Lepa will be banking on his playmaker Roger Laka to ensure this happens.