Vipers set to trial to 61

THE National Capital District Commission (NCDC) Port Moresby Vipers 2019 train-on squad will play an opposing trial match this weekend.
Newly-appointed Port Moresby Vipers chairman James Enage said the trial match is for the 61 players currently in training with the Vipers to determine who will make the 36-man train-on squad.
Enage said the opposing trail match is important for all the players, both old and new, saying the players needed to perform to make the 36.
He said the selected 36-man train-on squad would play in a three-day rugby league tournament against select sides from Koiari, Port Moresby South, NCD Suburban, Port Moresby, Hiri-West and Motu Koitabu leagues.
Most of the players will be selected from the three-day tournament, with 60 percent coming from the two teams that make it to the final while the rest will come from the other teams
“Whether we win the Digicel Cup competition or not, it does not matter, as long as this selections criteria is followed and players are selected on merit,” Enage said.
He said players in the current Vipers train-on squad needed to perform beyond expectations to be guaranteed a place in the final 25-man squad which would be named next month.
The National Capital Distraict Commission-sponsored Port Moresby Vipers last won the title in 2013.
The Digicel Cup season is set to kick off on Sunday, April 7.