Hunters under pressure

By JACK AMI

FORMER Papua New Guinea Kumuls forward Dr James Naipao says there are several contributing factors to explain the poor form of the SP PNG Hunters.
Naipao, who represented Papua New Guinea 11 times, said fans needed to lower their expectations of the side.
“To defend the premiership at this level will be a very big task,” Naipao said. “Every team in the Q-Cup is now out to stop the Hunters because they are the reigning champions.”
Naipao said that the Q-Cup champions of the past few years had struggled to defend their title with player losses one of the contributing factors.
The Wynnum Manly Seagulls are the last club to win back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.
Naipao said the Hunters had actually overachieved (since entering the competition in 2014) matching the Q-Cup clubs who had access to NRL talent as feeder clubs to teams in Australia’s top-tier competition.
“Although the Hunters have lost five matches out of seven, they have to stay positive and keep working hard to improve,” he said.
Naipao said he was impressed with the new crop of players that coach Michael Marum had brought into the club but he stressed that regardless of their potential, it would take time for them to get consistency in a competition like the Q-Cup.
He said despite the Hunters struggling to play to the standard set by last year’s team, they should keep on working to reach their goals and value each game for the lessons learnt.
Naipao said there was also room for other strategies and tactics that were available to Marum, one of which was obvious – to recall several senior players to the squad.
“With due respect to Michael he may need to recall some former senior players like Israel Eliab, Bland Abavu and even Thompson Teteh, if he’s available, back to the side to give it more stability and a winning edge which is what it is missing now.”
Naipao said the Hunters’ depth had been tested this season with experienced back Adex Wera still out and prop Enoch Maki back for two games after missing three matches.
He said the Hunters could ill afford more injuries which would expose the inexperienced players.
“They are in a highly competitive competition so any mistakes or loss of form or inconsistent performances will cost them.”
He said other administrative matters which may be affecting the squad were not for him to speculate on but he trusted the PNGRFL as well as Marum’s coaching staff to address
them and for the team to move forward.