Hunters positive

WITH a raft of changes to his backline for tomorrow’s round 6 of the Q-Cup clash against the Redcliffe Dolphins, SP PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum is hoping to arrest a three-game losing streak on the road.
The 10th-placed Hunters headed off today to Brisbane to face an in-form Redcliffe side at Dolphin Oval with Marum desperate to pick up an away victory after losses to the Norths Devils, Northern Pride and Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Injury and form have forced Marum’s hand with the 44-year-old naming an inexperienced backline that will be up against one of the better three-quarter combinations in the Intrust Super Cup.
Flyer Edene Gabbie has been handed the No.1 jersey in only his third game for the Hunters replacing an injured Adex Wera while Junior Rau, after debuting last week, moves to the wing from the centres.
The Hunters centre combination sees Wawa Paul and Butler Morris forming a new partnership despite neither one having played more than a game in that position.
Junior Bobby is set to make his debut on the other wing.
Faced with a big experience deficit Marum said he simply had no choice but to try out the rest of the squad as the team searched for more consistency.
“We’ve got a new fullback, the two wingers are new and our centres haven’t played too much footy there as well but I’m hoping we go out there on Saturday and give it everything,” Marum said.
“We know the Dolphins have some really good players who are in great form. People like Jonus Pearson, Tom Opacic and Moses Pangai have all played for the Broncos so it’s going to be tough up against them but we’ve trained well all week and there’s a lot of talk and energy in camp.”
Marum admitted morale had been low initially after each away loss but the club was keeping positive and reminding itself that the season was a long one with enough time to turn things around. “The guys have been down after those losses on the road but we’re still going out there and trying our best and I think it’s about playing the first 10 minutes well and doing the little things right and building from there. It’s a challenge but we’re still confident we can win games in Australia.”
The Hunters last played the Dolphins in the major semifinal last year winning 12-6. Marum’s men are coming off a 34-22 loss to the Devils while the Dolphins, who are fourth on the ladder, are coming off a convincing 32-16 win over the Easts Tigers.
The match kicks off at 6pm with the hosts defending the Stan Joyce Cup.
Hunters: 1. Edene Gabbie 2. Junior Rau 3. Wawa Paul 4. Butler Morris 5. Junior Bobby 6. Ase Boas 7. Watson Boas 8. Moses Meninga 9. Wartovo Puara Jr 10. Baundo Aba 11. Nixon Put 12. John Andy 13. Rhadley Brawa; Reserves: 14. Charlie Simon 15. Enoch Maki 16. Patrick Morea 17. McKenzie Yei 18.
Round 6 Fixtures: Sat, April 14 – Northern Pride v Easts Tigers, Ipswich Jets v Mackay Cutters, Sunshine Coast Falcons v Townsville Blackhawks, Norths Devils v Burleigh Bears, Redcliffe Dolphins v PNG Hunters, Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Tweed Heads Seagulls; Sun, April 15 – Souths Logan Magpies v Central Queensland Capras.