Work on defence: Sipa

Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA
COACH Joe Sipa has warned his Port Moresby Vipers to improve on their defence despite impressive wins over last year’s grand finalists Hela Wigmen and Lae Tigers.
The Moni Plus-sponsored side beat the 2018, 2019 and 2020 title winners (Goroka Lahanis, Tigers and Wigmen respectively) over the last three Digicel Cup rounds to climb to fourth spot on the 12-team ladder.
But former Kumul Sipa is not getting ahead of himself as there are three more rounds of the regular season remaining before the finals of the country’s premier rugby league competition.
“Although we kept the Wigmen scoreless, I still think there is room for more improvement in defence,” he said after Sunday’s round-eight victory.
“We have to be a lot better in defence before the finals.
“For the remaining rounds, I will emphasise more on getting the little things right in defence.
“Finals footy will be different and that’s when our defence needs to be up there among the best. The game against Gulf Isou will be a good opportunity for our players to show improvement in that area.”
Meanwhile, Sipa said he was happy with the team’s performance against the reigning premiers.
“It was a solid team effort and credit to them for the well-deserved win,” he said.
“I think our forwards really stepped up and dominated the game.
They (forwards) obviously laid the platform and the rest of the players fed off from that. That’s the team spirit we want going forward.
“I was impressed with our halfback Karis Peter.
“I’ve been advising him to get his kicking game right since the start of the season.
“He has been improving. Last week, he made a huge improvement in that area.
“Another notable player is fullback John Stanley.
“John faced a tough task under the high kicks in wet conditions, but he really stood up.
“He made no errors under pressure.”