Hunters rule out Isaac

Prop to sit out ISC season after failing to overcome back injury

BY NATHAN WOTI
UPNG journalism student
SP Hunters forward Dilbert Issac has been ruled out for the upcoming Intrust Super Cup as he continues his recover from a back injury, says head coach Matthew Church.
The South Pacific Brewery-backed side resumed training at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby yesterday after taking a break during the festive period.

The squad are now down to 30 men after the release of 11 players last week. However, they were with out Brendon Gotuno, Gahuna Sailas, veteran playmaker Ase Boas and Joe Frank.
Church, who took over the reins from foundation coach Michael Marum, said he expected the four to make a full recovery later this week after being struck down with illness.
“Rhadley (Brawa) and Stanford (Talita) are also absent from training so we are down on manpower at the moment,” he said.
“Steven Bruno left training early as he was feeling unwell. Hopefully, we can treat him and get him hydrated so that he is good for the rest of the week.”
Church said test experience was vital to the side as the looked to bounce back from their worst campaign in Australia’s second-tier competition.
“We have three test players joining the team and they Enock Maki, Stanton (Albert) and Terry Wapi. I’m counting on them to bring that experience into camp,” he said.
“Obviously, they have been learning a lot playing test footy so I’ll be leaning on them going forward.
“I want them to understand the way I coach and how I want to play.”
Church said the team would do gym and skills sessions in the morning and field sessions in the afternoon on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays, they would have half a session before taking a break on Wednesdays.
The Australian said he was happy with how the players were coping with his training methods so far.
“We have a new ‘language’ during training and it’s working so we will continue with it,” Church said.