Hunters name squad

By JACK AMI
FORMER PNG Hunters co-captain Adam Korave was named among 44 players for the 2018 pre-season training squad at the National Football Stadium yesterday.
Coach Michael Marum recalled Korave after he had a stint with the Ipswich league in Cairns, Australia.
Marum has retained 19 current premiership winning Hunters players. They are captain Ase Boas, Watson Boas, Wartovo Puara, Wellington Albert, Stanton Albert, Nixon Putt, Moses Meninga, Enock Maki, Stargorth Amean, Willie Minoga, Adex Wera, Bland Abavu, Butler Morris, Israel Eliab, Muka Peter Kulu, Radley Brawa, Sailas Gahuna, Wawa Paul and William Mone.
Among the 24 new faces are Lae Snax Tigers and PNG Prime Minister’s 13 captain Charlie Simon, team mates Junior Rop, Mark Piti and John Andy.
From the Agmark Guria, captain Stanley Olo, Illa Alu and Dilbert Isaac have been named in the Hunters training squad.
Nine players from the other Digicel Cup teams have also been included.
Israel Wari from Central and Joseph Singura of Madang also make the squad after both were spotted at the PNG Games Rugby 9s competition currently held in West New Britain.
Lae Academy players Charlie Angu, Ishmael Yombane and Joseph Konz join fellow Port Moresby Academy member Gong Morgan in the training squad.
Marum said the squad would assemble in Port Moresby on Dec 4 to start a grueling pre-season training programme.
“Only the 10 SP Hunters players Ase Boas, Watson Boas, Wartovo Puara, Wellington Albert, Stanton Albert, Nixon Putt, Moses Meninga, Enock Maki, Stargroth Amean and Willie Minoga — who were members of the Kumuls team for the rugby league World Cup campaign will join the pre-season training camp on Jan 4,” Marum said.
Staff to assist Marum during the pre-season camps are: Nigel Hukula, Solomon Kuluniasi, Toua Kohu, Roger Laka, Joe Bruno,Glen Nami, Joe Sipa and Roderick Puname.
“The final 30-man SP Hunters squad and coaching staff to participate in the 2018 Queensland Intrust Super Cup will be announced in early January,” Marum said.