Abavu out to pitch in for Hunters

BY PETER PUSAL
Queensland Cup championship-winning winger Bland Abavu is ready to pitch in for the SP PNG Hunters in what will be a challenging season in 2019.
The 28-year-old, who helped the Hunters win their maiden Q-Cup title in 2017, finds himself as a senior player with the departure of the several notable names from coach Michael Marum’s roster and is willing to do what he can to make the team competitive in the new season.
“My goal for this year is to help the team wherever I’m needed,” Abavu, who spent a season in Ipswich (Queensland) last year, said.
“I’ll play any position the coach wants me to play, backs or forwards, it doesn’t matter.”
The Koiari man who normally plays on the wing can play centre and fullback having slotted into those positions for the Hunters from 2015 to 2017.
Standing at 194cm, Abavu is the tallest player in the side and added that he was working on his strength and power to be utilised in Marum’s plans.
“I’m putting a lot of work in the gym, doing weights and building my speed up and getting more stronger every day and things like that so that I can contribute to the team.”
The Hunters have a core group of senior players which includes Aabavu and others in the likes of Adex Wera, Moses Meninga, Enoch Maki, Charlie Simon and Butler Morris.
Abavu said in terms of taking on the role of being a senior player he was focused on being a good squad member and leading by example on and off the field.
“When I talk with the boys I encourage them. It’s pre-season so the training is really tough and we talk to each other to get us through the sessions,” Abavu said.
“We have to get our heads straight to be in a situation where we can build up momentum to start the season well,” the former Dobo Warriors outside back.
Abavu said he had learned some vaulable lessons from his one-year stint in Ipswich but placed the Hunters programme as a class above and certainly more demanding.
Abavu said he was also hoping to vie for a Kumuls spot in 2019 — depending on his form — apart from doing his best to help get the Hunters into the Q-Cup finals.