Church to name final squad

By PARKER TAMBUA
SP Hunters coach Matthew Church says he has already finalised his 2021 squad but will name the 30 players next month ahead of their relocation to Australia.
The Hunters completed their final training session of the year at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday.
“Judah Rimbu, Jeffery Robert and Benji Kot are some of the younger players who have been really impressive,” Church said.
“They have been pushing some of the senior players to maintain their spots in the side.”
The players will go home today for the Christmas break before they return to camp on Jan 3. “I have finalised the squad but it is not for public consumption at the moment,” Church said.
“I’ve got to have private discussions with each individual (five players who have been omitted) before we go public with the final squad.
“It’s a bit hectic, having to name the squad before Christmas.
“But it’d beyond our control due to the relocation and the processes that we have to go through like obtaining visas.
“So I know the final squad but the country will not know until we return in the New Year.”
At yesterday’s session, veteran Enoch Maki and Joe Joshua were seen hobbling due to injury while playmaker and 2020 captain Ase Boas continued to train with a fractured hand.
But Church assured that they were only minor injuries and would not affect the trio’s chances of selection.
Meanwhile, the former Sunshine Coast Falcons warned all his players to keep fit and stay healthy during the break as they would undergo tests on their return to camp.