Vipers back depth

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE Port Moresby Vipers have the depth fill in the void created by SP Hunters’ Ase Boas, Enoch Maki, Keven Appo and Brendon Gotuno for the upcoming Digicel Cup season.
Coach Leonard Tarum told The National yesterday that former Hunter Dilbert Issac, Rabaul Gurias rake, Brian Gispe, and Papua New Guinea Kumul Stargroth Amean would make the Vipers a formidable side this year.
“I don’t think the departure of Ase Boas, Enoch Maki, Keen Appo and Brendon Gotuno will affect our performances this season,” Tarum said.
“We finished well in the finals last year and obviously we are aiming to finish better this season.
“Players like Maki have always had an impact on how we play, given his experience and size.
“But to be honest, I don’t think we’ll miss him (Maki) because we have already secured the service of former Hunter (and one-time PNG representative) Dilbert Issac.
“For Boas, we’ve already found his possible replacements.
“We have three halves from the Port Moresby Rugby Football League who are in our train-and-trial programme.
“Brian Gispe has voluntarily joined us this season.
“He brings with him a lot of Digicel Cup experience to the side.
“We also have Kumuls winger Stargroth Amean who will continue to be a part of us after he returned to the team last year (from the UK).
“He’s a good fullback as well, so I think we are set for 2021.”
Tarum said the club’s main goal this season was to pick up from where they left off last season and go deeper into the finals. The Vipers finished fourth in the 12-team competition.
They bowed out in the second week of the finals with an 8-12 semifinal loss to the Hela Wigmen who went all the way to claim the title after defeating the Lae Snax Tigers in the grand final at the Sir John Guise Stadium.