Hunters stick to script

MICHAEL Marum has stuck to a winning formula as the SP PNG Hunters look to start their run to the top four on Friday against the Ipswich Jets.
The coach named an unchanged line-up yesterday, retaining the same 17 that beat the Mackay Cutters
26-12 at the National Football Stadium last Sunday.
The round 15 clash on Friday night at North Ipswich Reserve figures to be a key match for the Hunters as they look to make the finals.
“We’re not focusing on the finals. We need to win on Friday because it will set us up for the next month of games,” Marum said.
“We’ve got five home games in a row after the Jets but we’re not looking past them. We just want to make sure we go down there and play well.” The Hunters — on 14 points and ninth on the ladder — have 10 games remaining in the regular season with six at home and four on the road.
“We’ve got six of the last 10 at home but we do need to win those away games to have a chance.”
Captain Ase Boas has been named on the bench but will likely be injected earlier after playing 20 minutes against the Cutters.
“Ase’s trained well this week and we’ve got him on the bench again for the game in Ipswich but we might have to use him earlier because of who we’re playing.”
Marum confirmed forward Moses Meninga would travel with the side and was a chance to get a bench spot but would be assessed by a physio in Brisbane.
The team flies tomorrow to Brisbane with the game scheduled for a 7pm kick off the following evening.
Hunters: 1. Adex Wera, 2. Junior Rau, 3. Thompson Teteh, 4. Willie Minoga, 5. Brendon Gotuno, 6. Charlie Simon, 7. Watson Boas, 8. Enoch Maki, 9. Wartovo Puara Jr (c), 10. Stanton Albert, 11. Nixon Put, 12. McKenzie Yei, 13. Rhadley Brawa; Reserves: 14. Ase Boas, 15. Ila Alu, 16. Dilbert Isaac, 17. Patrick Morea, 18. Moses Meninga, 19. Edene Gabbie, 20. Wawa Paul.