THE Kroton Hela Wigmen have named a 42-man train-on squad for the 2023 Digicel ExxonMobil Cup season.
The squad will be trimmed down to 35 before the season kicks off in April.
Wigmen chairman Andy Hetra said 25 players would be signed as regulars and 10 under development contracts.
“It’s a long season ahead and players are prone to injures, disciplinary issues or inconsistency with form,” Hetra said.
“Our development players always provide the buffer and keeps the playing squad in check.
“Towards the backend of the season, experience tells us that the development players are the ones that are hungrier to play.
“We have lost five of our 17 players from last year’s grand final team to Hunters and Capras.
“It’s good that we have players coming through our system and moving on and progressing in their rugby league career.
“We have 12 players still committed to the club including our development players from last year like Kayah Ross Jr, Iso Kita, Stanford Pandane and Peter Dagi Homoko pushing for final 25 this year.
“We have selected four players from our recently concluded Hela Invitational 9s directly from Tari League. Gilmo Paul has returned to the team after a year with Hunters. With the departure of Junior Igila to Hunters, that void will be filled.
“With Valentine Culligan and Samuel Yengip moving on, we are grateful for the service of Anthony Worot this year.
“We have a good mix of experience and youth in our playing stock to defend the cup this year,” said Hetra.
Squad: Sylvester Bulu, Andrew Solo, Missach Welen, Gilmo Paul, Handa Dasta, Solomon Pokare, Anthony Worot, Manu Kame, Iso Kita, Kopu Piju, Tony Wemin, Patrick Morea, Peter Dagi, Allan Simbiri, Ikiboi Lawrence, Khayah Ross Jnr, Gordan Bal Issach, Stanford Pandani, Dominic Minji, Kaupa Sipa, Woods Kawage, Norman Brown, Cyril Seiba, Clifford Michael, Melvin Paul, McWin Worinu, Abraham Walis, Valentine Wamdi, Saki Nono, Ala Kono, Bradley Cullligan, Steven Porkare, Ramcy Hondale, Ronny Steven, Atua Joshua, Murray Connor, Gori Akuni, Gibson Angai, Henry Layabi, Hame Harabe, Dominic Joe, Bernard Lai.
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