Hunters prepare for Broncos game

PAPUA New Guinea Hunters have undergone six weeks of intensive training with captain Ase Boas still unable to train fully as he recovers from wrist injury.
Coach Michael Marum said the plaster on Boas’ right wrist would be removed by Dr Gideon Kendino tomorrow.
Marum said he was not overly concerned that his captain and chief playmaker was still in cotton wool six weeks out from the season opener against the Ipswich Jets, insisting that the 29-year-old would be ready to lead the side.
Marum said he was confident Boas would be able to play in the preseason fixture against the Brisbane Broncos on Feb 24.
With the departure of several experienced props in the Albert brothers, Henry Wan and Esau Siune, Marum said the likely replacements would come from a pool of players including Moses Meninga, McKenzie Yei, Muka Peter Kulu along with Ila Alu, Dilbert Isaac and raw-boned youngster Aba Baundo.
Marum said the team to play the Broncos would be named a week before the match.
“We understand it’s going to be a tough match here against the Broncos and hope that we get 20 players or more to play,” he said.
“We had a good run last season and we want to continue that and build on it in 2018 so playing the Broncos will be a great test for us early in the season.”
Marum said his squad were training well and looking forward to facing a Broncos outfit featuring several of their top stars. Marum said those Hunters squad members not part of the final 29 but had been involved in off-season training as well as the post-Christmas sessions needed to stay fit and maintain their form at the Digicel Cup level.
The squad which was originally 49-strong has been reduced to 29 with a further cutting of two before the season opener.
Marum said aside from the prop stocks that had been addressed, he was also looking at playmakers to step up to understudy the Boas brothers. Halves William Mone, Charlie Simon and Junior Bobby would be given a chance in the role and needed to learn the ropes quickly especially in the season following their Q-Cup success.