Hunters aim to keep form against Pride

By ROBINSON LEKA
ROUND 15 of the Queensland Intrust Super Cup will see the Papua New Guinea Hunters taking on the Northern Pride (1.10pm kick-off) in Cairns, Australia, on Sunday.
The Hunters, who are coming off a 20-16 win over the Seagulls, are looking to continue their much improved form with Kumuls players from last weekend’s Pacific Test expected to slot into the starting line-up.
Hunters assistant coach Glen Nami was pleased with the team’s round-14 win over the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Port Moresby, which he said had boosted the Hunters players who earned selection into the Kumuls.
“They’ve backed themselves up and they did okay for the last game (Pacific Test), they are ready to go this weekend,” he said.
“They’ve done well, they put on the Kumuls jumper every time and go out there to play their best.
“And to have them come back this week and support us is a big boost for the team.”
Nami is expecting Terry Wapi, Junior Rau, Moses Meninga, Enock Maki and Stanton Albert to lead the Hunters against the 11th-placed Pride, who are expected to field North Queensland flyer Gideon Gela-Moresby.
“They are a tough side at home but everyone (in the Hunters) is looking forward for this one,” Nami said.
“This week was just about what we did last week, believing in our strengths and working on our weaknesses.”
Forward Ila Alu makes his return in the second row. Butler Morris is the other notable inclusion.
The match will be played live on Channel 9.
Hunters: 1. Terry Wapi, 2. Junior Rau, 3. Adex Wera, 4. Daniel Tapol, 5. Butler Morris, 6. Ase Boas, 7. Nick Hasu, 8. Moses Meninga (captain), 9. Sailas Gahuna, 10. Enock Maki, 11. Ila Alu, 12. Epel, Kapinias, 13. Baundo Aba; Interchange – 14. Patrick Morea, 15. Charlie Simon, 16. Kevin Appo, 17. Stanton Albert, 18. Brendon Gotuno, 19. Woods Kawage, 20. Paul Wawa.
Fixtures: Sat, June 29 – Tigers v Devils, Blackhawks v Tweed Heads, Wynnum Manly v Capras, Falcons v Dolphins, Jets v Bears; Sun, June 30 – Pride v Hunters, Magpies v Cutters.