Church to use trials to pick his best 17 for season opener

Sports

THE SP Hunters will use upcoming trial matches against Central Queensland Capras and Kaiviti Silktails to select their best 17 for their Hostplus Cup season opener against Mackay Cutters on March 19.
Unlike last year, the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored side will play trial matches prior to the season opener.
Coach Matthew Church told The National yesterday that his side would focus on building combinations in the trial matches.
“The SP Hunters have two trial games scheduled, pending travel and Coronavirus restrictions,” he said.
“The first trial will be on Feb 26 against Kaiviti Silktails at Bycroft Oval on the Gold Coast.
“The second trial will be on March 5 against Central Queensland Capras at Gladstone.
“We will work on combinations, start the framework for our game plan and challenge the players to see who wants to be selected for round one.”
The Hunters continue to train at Runaway Bay after they arrived there on Jan 26.
With 15 players from last year not retained in the side, it will be a challenge for the coaching staff to identify the best combinations with the bulk of the squad being new.
The side will be led by Ila Alu and Kevin Appo as co-captains while Brendon Nima will be their assistant. The Hunters’ season opener will be against hosts Cutters at BB Print Stadium in Mackay on March 19 (6.30pm kick-off).