Marum loses three more

THE Papua New Guinea Hunters were dealt a triple blow yesterday with three players suspended by the Queensland Rugby League judiciary.
The suspensions are in addition to the loss of club leading try-scorer Thompson Teteh for the rest of the season.
Centre Justin Olam (one game), fullback Bland Abavu (one game) and winger Adex Wera (two games) were cited for dangerous play, with Wera coping a two-game ban for a dangerous throw and Abavu set to miss one match for his involvement in a similar tackle during the round 23 Intrust Super Cup fixture against the Townsville Blackhawks. Wera had carry-over demerit points from a previous charge and had the additional time added on.
He will miss the rest of the regular season with only two rounds to go.
Olam was given his ban for a first-half shoulder charge.
The loss of the three men, who have all been in good form, is another setback for the Hunters’ hopes of clinching a top-two spot.
The SP-backed side takes on the Northern Pride at Barlow Park in Cairns on Sunday.
With centre Teteh ruled out for the rest of the season on Monday, coach Michael Marum has had to rush back captain Noel Zeming, who was only recently cleared to play after missing the last six games with a thumb injury. Back-rower Edward Goma has shifted to the centres in place of Olam and Stargroth Amean gets his first since coming off the bench against the Norths Devils in round 16.
“We’re disappointed with the suspensions but those are things that happen and we just have to regroup and focus on our next game,” Marum said.
“The guys coming in are probably short of match fitness but they’ve been training over the last few weeks so they’ll be ready to play.
“Training and actually playing are two different things so we’ll have to wait and see how it goes this week.”
The suspensions have also given 100kg winger Philemon Kimisive a chance to stake a claim on a starting berth with the 20-year-old named on the right edge.
Marum also included key players Wartovo Puara Jr and co-captain Adam Korave as well as back-rower Nickson Borana on an extended bench.
“We’ve named Adam (Korave) and Wartovo (Puara) on the bench but we’ll confirm whether they travel to Cairns.
“They trained but they’re still not 100 per cent and we don’t want to bring them back too early if we can help it.”
Marum will finalise the travelling 18-man team tomorrow afternoon.
The team leaves for Cairns on Friday morning.
Hunters: 1. Stargroth Amean, 2. Butler Morris, 3. Noel Zeming (C), 4. Edward Goma, 5. Philemon Kimisive, 6. Ase Boas, 7. Watson Boas, 8. Enoch Maki, 9. Warren Glare, 10. Esau Siune, 11. Timothy Lomai, 12. Ishmael Balkawa, 13. Brandy Peter; Reserves: 14. Gahuna Sailas, 15. Adam Korave (C), 16. Benjamin Hetra, 17. Nickson Borana, 18. Wartovo Puara Jr (one to be ommitted).