Hunters rookie trio commended for efforts

By MELTON PAIS
DEBUTANTS Nixon Put, Moses Meninga and Karo Kauna Jr gave good accounts of themselves in the opening match of the Intrust Super Cup last Saturday.
Playing against a fired up CQ Capras at home in Rockhampton, the trio of rookie SP PNG Hunters proved they belonged at that level of football with back-rower Put, pictured, in particular playing out the entire 80-minutes .
Kauna, who was a late replacement for first choice centre Adex Wera, defended his left edge well and was solid during his 60-minutes while Meninga’s size and hard-running added impact off the bench.
Kauna said he was nervous heading into the Browne Park fixture because it was his first game in the Q-Cup and because of the responsibility of the centre position.
“I got more confident as the game started but I was nervous,” he said.
“Playing with the experienced players and after playing in the trial against the Pride two weeks ago, that helped me adjust,” Kauna said.
The Hanuabada man said he thought he defended well enough keeping traffic down his left edge quiet.
Hagen Eagles duo Put and Meninga looked to be living up to their reputations as forward stars of the future.
Put worked well in tandem with Kauna to shore up their side of the field but more impressivle did not look to be tiring as the game wore on.
“We enjoyed the first game very well but just that just we didn’t realize the game would be fast,” Put said of him and Meninga’s efforts.
“That was a good expereince for us and we’ll take that with us as we get ready for the next game at home against the Tigers,” Meninga said.
Both men said their families would be flying down from Mt Hagen to watch their game this weekend.
Hunters assistance coach Nigel Hukula said he was impressed with the quality of performance put on by the trio and said he was looking forward to seeing them develop as the season progressed.
“I think those three really played well,” Hukula said.
“There was some pressure on them and they went out and gave their best.”