Goroka Lahanis and Port Moresby Vipers set for grandfinal showdown

Goroka Lahanis Captain (left )and Vipers caption holding the Digicel Cup they will fight to claim on Sunday. The National

BIG hits, bone crunching tackles and may be even a punch or two will be part of an epic end to the Digicel Cup rugby league season on Sunday.

The Goroka Lahanis are hell-bent on putting a cruel end to the fairy-tale run of the resurgent Port Moresby Vipers, who make their first final in 19 years.

Both sides, sprinkled with the cream of talent in the country, will be fighting for potential Kumul spots in an expected whirlwind finish to the premier semi-professional competition.

The Lahanis, winners 22-20 and 24-20 this year against the Vipers, have been the most consistent team this season and have been rewarded with the minor premiership.

But the Vipers are not the team of early rounds and pose a far more lethal challenge as on both occasions the city slickers led only to be overhauled in the last quarter.

Vipers coach Leonard Tarum yesterday said the Lahanis were a very physical team and their forwards matched that with their aggression.

“We have a point to prove and I’m confident we can square it up this time as we have been working hard on those weaker areas to be consistent for the full 80 minutes,” he said.

Lahanis coach Michael Moses said they had been written off at the start of the season and that was what was on the back of the minds of the players and it was enough to ensure they prove a point on Sunday.

“We have come this far and certainly we are not going home empty handed,” he said.

“I guess the team that works off their game plan better and cuts down on errors will win … tru ave mipela kam ya,” Moses said.

The Lahanis will be looking to nippy halves Robin Soga and Noel Zeming to create plays for their powerful pack