Vipers release 16 players

THE Port Moresby Vipers have dropped 16 players from their 50-man train-on squad after trials against Moresby South Blacks and Motu-Koita Lagatois last week.
Coach Leonard Tarum told The National yesterday that 34 players were still in training.
The 2013 premiership-winning coach said he would further trim the squad to 25 men for the upcoming Digicel Cup season.
Tarum said he would use the Southern Highlands Hope Cup match against hosts Mendi Muruks to finalise his squad team.
“It’s not confirmed yet but the National Capital District Commission says we will travel to Mendi tomorrow (today),” he said.
“We will release nine more players after the Hope Cup.
“For the Mendi trial, I have named a squad of 20 players.
“The bulk of the players in that squad are with us on a train-and-trial basis.
“So they will have to put in a strong performance to make the final 25-man squad.
“The few regular players who will travel with them are Manu Kame, Rex Tandowa, Iru Dikana and captain Ade Kawa.” Tarum said the squad members who won’t travel to Mendi were regulars from last season who would most likely be named in the final squad for this year.
Some players who are likely to retain their spots for the upcoming season are Joel Kee, Ben Wemin, Papua New Guinea Kumul Stargroth Amean, Karis Peter, Thompson Teteh, Presley Soto and Shane Nigel. Tarum said that after the trials, the Vipers would probably name a few new faces.
“But I think we will retain the bulk of the boys from last season,” he said.