Vipers work up venom for Crocs in opener

STOP N Shop Port Moresby Vipers must have the right attitude if they are to make an impression in this year’s Digicel Cup.
It will be a local derby for Vipers and progress over the last two seasons has been clear from seventh place in 2009 to fifth last year. The Port Moresby flagship team has identified 2012 as a potential watershed year to go to the next level.
Players interviewed during their trial run in Port Moresby earlier this year expressed confidence they were a better team and were ready for the revamped 2011 wooden spooners, the Prima Small Goods Isapea at the Lloyd Robson Oval.
Vipers franchise owner Sudhir Guru is a man of little talk and plenty of action. However with the chairmanship of the PNG National Rugby League board he has two jobs to juggle.
He will only hope that his boys do well and this weekend’s match against the Chris Enara-coached side will be the telling factor if they (Vipers) have recruited well and having the fire power to beat a strengthened Isapeas.
It will be an exciting game with Isapeas set to field their new guns in Walter Hasu, George Abba, Stanley Korua and Zachary Simbai.
Korua’s position change from second row to center is the best move having seen him star for the Pom Diwai in the Ipatas Cup as well his local club Royals.
Much is at stake when Vipers led by crafty five-eighth Peter Paulus will try to repeat last season’s dose where they beat the Crocodiles twice. But that was a different Gulf team with the Ispaeas expected tocome out with guns blazing.
Despite losing marquee   signing Jessie Joe Parker to English second division club Whitehaven, the Isapeas exude a quality about them that will see them win close games – unlike last year –  and make inroads in 2012.
The game kicks off at the earlier time of 2pm.
This is to give ample time for fans and players to go home.