Time for Vipers to step up

By KEITH PUARIA
PORT Moresby Vipers coach Shane Morris will be hoping his best 17 for this Sundays Digicel Rugby League Cup round two is ‘the best’ against the fresh Gulf Isapeas.
Morris said, two days prior to Mt Hagen Eagles, that the season was at its business end, and that his team would be the best possible Vipers side, only to just scrape home 14-12 against the brutal Eagles unconvincingly last Sunday.
To put two and two together, Port Moresby is yet to see a truly convincing Vipers display at the PRL, with four games left at home this round to play before the finals.
The amount of unforced errors at crucial stages, in addition to the inabi­lity to finish off with tries, when golden opportunities present themselves has become the norm for the Vipers of late.
The wins are coming less clinical, and becoming the total opposite of the disciplined side that opened the season with a lot of promise.
While Kumul Larsen Marabe has found a new lease of life this season, Enoch Maki has matured off the bench into an impact for Morris, along with Adam Korave, and young lock Bobby Mori.
Intercity experience is not lacking in captain Steven Johns, Tony Dai, interchange Toua Kohu, Dick Nap, and Timothy Komane, so there really is that question as to what will make the Vipers click into their best.
Peter Paulus and Sebulon Ragi Junior probably form the best halves combination in the competition, inside a quality backline in Richard Kambo, Elijah Ryong, Eki Ene, Stargroth Amean, Joshia Abaivu and Israel Eliab. But there just hasn’t been enough magic.
Sunday promises to be the day of reckoning for the city boys before they go on bye, and if it may be, it should be, a win at all costs.
The Isapeas have top five in their sights and have looked the part in their last two games, with a lot of promise for round two.
Chris Enara and Jacob Ivaroa may have just put their puzzle together and are set to take the competition by storm.
The writing is on the wall for round two. There are two teams based out of Port Moresby, but there can only be one flagship.
Vipers or Isapeas?