Vipers, Wigmen hold trials to finalise 2024 squads

THE Port Moresby Vipers and Hela Wigmen hosted a two-match trial at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium on Saturday to finalise their squad for the 2024 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup season.
The first game was between the development sides which Vipers team two beat Wigmen team two 14-4, before Wigmen team one squared it up with a 22-10 win over Vipers team one in the second game.
Over 40 players from the respective teams were given an opportunity to showcase what they could offer for their teams in hopes to make the final 25-man squad for each teams.
The Digicel ExxonMobil Cup will kick-off next month.
Wigmen and Vipers have been in preseason training for the last six weeks and the hit-out was a good test for them.
Notable player for the Kroton-sponsored side was former SP Hunter William Mone. The five-eighth played for Central Dabaris over the last three seasons but returned to the club which he made his intercity debut with in 2016.
Another highlight in the trial was the Papua New Guinea Pukpuks forward Eddie Nipa, who made the switch to rugby league playing for Wigmen in 2024 season.
Nipal played for Wigmen one, which was made of regular players.
The notable player for the Vipers was former SP Hunter Tommy Moide. The front-rower was released by the Hunters in the preseason.
Moide will be a plus for the MoniPlus sponsored side in 2024 season.