Hunters call up Teme

By JACK AMI
PAPUA New Guinea Hunters coach Michael Marum has included Hela Wigmen halfback Jerry Teme to his pre-season training squad.
Marum identified Teme during last month’s Kokoda Fuzzy Wuzzy Nines.
Teme’s inclusion comes after the departures of Ase and Watson Boas (Featherstone Rovers), and Edwin Ipape (personal reasons).
According to Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League, six players have been released after the second week of pre-season training in Port Moresby.
Maya Clark, John Stanley, Kong Mogan, Raphael Robert, Jerome Mura and Swahzer Kandaki were all released, as they were carrying injuries.
Marum said another five players would be released by the end of this week to further trim the squad down to 40 players.
“There are a lot of new players who have not gone through this before so we are holding onto them to see if they can make it through this week,” the coach said of the Hunters’ rigorous training regime.
“We have more backs than forwards.
“We currently training and releasing players based on the positions we’re looking at.
“In January, we should have 30 players as per our plans.
“We have given the opportunity for Digicel Cup coaches to select players for the Hunters’ pre-season training and there’s still a lot of work to be done.
“We are holding back several players and giving them a bit more time to prove themselves.”