Hunters unchanged

SP PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum has unsurprisingly retained the side that beat the Wynnum Manly Seagulls last Sunday in preparation for this Saturday’s round 11 clash with the CQ Capras.
The Hunters ended a four-game losing streak beating Wynnum 18-16 in Brisbane last Sunday and will look to continue the trend against the second last placed Capras, with Marum rewarding the players with another opportunity to get back to back wins.
Assistant coach Nigel Hukula, who stood in for Marum spoke of their first victory away win as result that could spur the team to more wins.
“Consistency is one thing we’re looking at now moving forward and the win last weekend was our best performance away from home,” Hukula said.
“Having some experience boys come back helped a lot and our stats are one thing we’re happy about from last weekend.
“Experience is another thing we counted on and our experienced players stepped up so that’s what we wanted.”
Hukula highlighted the return Thompson Teteh as a contributing factor to their return to winners’ circle.
“Tommy is a valuable addition to our side and we’re happy to have him back. We watched him over the weekend with his experience on defence and that was something we were missing,” Hukula added.
The lack of size within the squad especially in the forwards was mentioned as something the coaching stuff was aware off and were expecting the return of Kumul Moses Meninga (injury) and McKenzie Yei (suspension) to address that.
“McKenzie Yei is still out of the side.
“He was suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle so this is the second week and is additional will be valuable again for us because we’re lacking in some size at the moment,” Hukula said.
“For him it is something he will learn from, it’s to do with technique, we can get away with some of these things in the Digicel Cup but we can also tidy up and learn from as well.
“Moses Meninga is still working on his recovery and his probably three or four weeks away from making his return from his right knee injury.
“Speaking of injuries, Junior Bobby is also excluded from the 20-man squad as he’s still recovers from a calf injury,” he added.
Meanwhile former Hunters co-captain Adam Korave, who return to join the side this year after a year out had been released from camp due to family commitments but is expected to be back next week.
The only two players in the Hunters camp that are yet to make their debut are William Mone and Clyde Osii.
Hunters: 1. Adex Wera 2. Junior Rau 3. Thompson Teteh 4. Willie Minoga 5. Butler Morris 6. Ase Boas (c) 7, Watson Boas 8. Enoch Maki 9. Wartovo Puara Jr 10. Dilbert Isaac 11. Nixon Put 12. Ila Alu 13. Rhadley Brawa; Reserves: 14. Charlie Simon 15. Baundo Aba 16. Gahuna Silas 17. Edene Gabbie 18. Julius Yakopa 19. William Mone 20. Patrick Morea.