Seventh win on the cards

THE SP Papua New Guinea Hunters head to Brisbane tomorrow for their Intrust Super Cup round 3 fixture against the Souths Logan Magpies, with a perfect record over their opponents.
The Magpies have yet to beat the Hunters after six games between the sides since 2014, with coach Michael Marum’s men holding a decided edge over the men from the southern suburbs of the Queensland state capital.
Their last clash, however, was a close-affair, with the Hunters just pipping a plucky Magpies outfit 22-20 at the National Football Stadium in round 14 last year.
With the 2017 version of the Hunters still a team in transition as the new players find their feet and combinations blossom, Marum said he was pleased with the unblemished record over the Magpies but a win would still be a tough ask.
“They (Magpies) haven’t beaten us yet since we came in to the Q-Cup so that will give them a lot of motivation to break that losing streak against us,” Marum said.
“It’s going to be tough for us as they’re coming off a good away win (22-12) over the Sunshine Coast Falcons and they’ll be confident.”
Marum confirmed that the team named on Tuesday would stay the same with the only change on the extended bench as forwards Junior Rop, who rolled an ankle at training midweek, and Nixon Put would not be required with Radley Brawa the18th man.
Captain Ase Boas, who was under an injury cloud earlier in the week with a sore shoulder and chest, will play halfback.
Centre Willie Minoga (corked thigh), hooker Gahuna Silas (calf) and centre Adex Wera (ribs) were all cleared to travel although Marum left the door ajar for last minute changes.
“We’ve still got two sessions to go tomorrow and Saturday so there could be changes made depending on how things go,” he said.
Marum also revealed that while debutant Paul Wawa was set to play his first game for the Hunters on the wing, he was mulling a switch with vice-captain Wellington Albert off the bench.
“At the moment we’ve got Watson Boas, Enoch Maki, Moses Meninga and Wellington Albert on the bench but Wellington could play wing and Paul back to the bench.
The match at Davies Park will be televised on TV WAN at 2pm on Sunday.  Hunters: 1. Stargroth Amean, 2. Butler Morris, 3. Adex Wera, 4. Willie Minoga, 5. Paul Wawa, 6. Israel Eliab, 7. Ase Boas (C), 8. Henry Wan, 9. Gahuna Silas, 10. Esau Siune, 11. Lawrence Tu’u, 12. David Loko, 13. Stanton Albert; Reserves: 14. Watson Boas, 15. Moses Meninga, 16. Enoch Maki, 17. Wellington Albert, 18. Radley Brawa.
Fixtures: Rd 3 – Sat, March 18: Blackhawks v Cutters, Pride v Falcons, Tigers v Dolphins, Capras v Bears; Sun, March 19: TH Seagulls v WM Seagulls, Magpies v Hunters, Devils vs Jets.