Vipers ready for Lions

By KEITH PUARIA
“YOU tell me where you want to finish at the end of the year, and I’ll tell you where you’ll end up by your attitude, here at training!”
Port Moresby Vipers coach Shane Morris barked at his troops in the rain at yesterdays’ final training session before Sunday’s Digicel Cup round three clash.
Coming off the bye after their round one 26-8 belting of Gulf Isapeas, Port Moresby’s rugby league flagship have not switched off going into their clash with Simbu Lions.
“Discipline and purpose,” Morris said at training. “Its been about the needs and the wants of the team, what each individual needs to get right for the purpose of the team.
“Sure we do the fitness and team stuff on the field, its just been more about getting each player’s mind on our purpose, and the team as a whole.”
Morris added that there were sure to be changes to the team for Sunday, for the purpose of giving all his players a go this early in the season.
“We have a fair squad here, and I have every confidence in all players.
“It’s a matter of giving them a run now so that they’ve been there and know what to expect.”
Kumul fullback Josh Abaivu is the only real concern for the Vipers, with Morris reluctant to ease the talented custodian back into action.
His inclusion in the team for Sunday would further boost Vipers’ already strong chances
However, Morris maintained that Abaivu was an important part of the team, and that he would not risk playing him even at 95% with the long season still ahead.
The Vipers are looking for their second win with the core of the team in captain Steven Johns, Larsen Marabe, Toua Kohu, centres Richard Kambo and Eki Ene, pocket-sized hooker Noel Joel, and playmakers Israel Eliab and Peter Paulus all looking sharp at the Port Moresby International School grounds.
Meanwhile, TNA Lions have made one change to last weekends’ Mt Hagen match line-up with 2008 World Cup Kumul centre Anton Kui coming in for Robert Dama.
Kui will travel with the team as an addition that could bring firepower to a young side beaming with a lot of confidence even after their 14-6 loss to the Eagles.
TNA franchise owner Gerard Philip said from Kundiawa last night that the team was working only on the areas it needed to improve on from last weekend, and was not too concerned about the Vipers.
“One mistake cost the team a try, so that’s all they are working on (error rate), otherwise we have given ourselves three weeks to establish where we are in this competition.
“The Vipers game is going to be a good test for us after travelling to Mt Hagen last week.”
The Lions arrive in Port Moresby tomorrow.