Hunters set for season

The National Sports

THE Papua New Guinea Hunters are on course as they embark on their 2024 Hostplus Cup journey which starts in two months.
Hunters coach Paul Aiton, who will be at helm of proceedings for the Port Moresby-based club in their 11th season in the second-tier Queensland rugby league competition, is pleased with the progress so far.
The SP Brewery-sponsored franchise have kept to their traditional preseason approach and coach Aiton has been delighted with the way things were handled at the moment in camp and training.
“Everything we give the boys, they show up and get it done and off field stuff have been great as well,” the former NRL and Super League rake said.
“They’re all in camp close to the stadium. Boys have put on weight and lost weight that needed too.
“That means they’re doing the right thing. Thinking about the game and becoming professional which is all we can ask.”
Finishing outside of top-8 for the sixth consecutive year, the Hunters have some serious work to do to regain the confidence of the fans and sponsors.
Whilst it’s too early to predict how the season would unfold, the side are determined to regain their 2017 premiership status, bulking some size and height into the forward pack and injecting some speed in the backline.
Hunters lanky middle forwards Epel Kapinias, Junior Rop and Sherwin Tanabe who boast height advantage with support from Seal Kalo, Tommy Moide, Benji Kot, Ila Alu and Whallen Tau-Loi should set the platform this season.
Aiton has a list of players to work with around the park in Anthony Worot, Chris Urakusie, Alex Max and Jordan Pat that would add some size in the pack and enable the electric backline steered by pivots Sakias Komati, Jamie Mavoko and twinkle-feet fullback Sanny Wabo.
“There are some big boys upfront. We still have Epel and Judah to comeback to strengthen our pack little bit more,” Aiton said recently.
The Hunters will have an in-house trial this weekend to trim down the 34-man extended squad before finalising the team against Ipswich Jets and Queensland Capras.