Marum rings changes

By ISAAC LIRI
REACTING to last Sunday’s 32-18 loss SP Papua New Guinea Hunters coach Michael Marum has made noticeable positional changes for Saturday’s match against the Mackay Cutters at Stadium Mackay.
Bland Abavu, who scored a double last Sunday is named at fullback pushing Stargroth Amean to the wing.
Paul Wawa, who played his second game on the wing last Sunday, was dropped to the extended bench bringing in Karo Kauna Junior to start on the other wing.
Versatile back Adex Wera was excluded from the side due to a rib injury as Israel Eliab was named in the centres with Willie Minoga.
Watson Boas has been called up to the starting line up at halfback to partner elder brother Ase Boas in the halves.
“After our loss I have decided to make thess changes, Watson came off the bench last week and he did well. And he’s played well with his brother in the halves last year so I think the combination there will be okay,” Marumk said.
“Bland was our fullback for the first two games then he got suspended, he played well at fullback in the second half and his attack on both edges was good so we’ll try him out there this week.
“For Karo, he’s got the height and speed, so I think we need that and for Paul Wawa it was only his second game so he’s still learning,” Marum said.
The coach confirmed that vice-captain Wellington Albert was suspended for two games after his shoulder charge on Norths Devils winger Michael Lucas.
“For Wellington, he was cited twice for shoulder charges against the Souths Logan Magpies and also last week against the Norths Devils so he’s got a total of 350 points there, so we decided to go for the early guilty plea so he’s going to sit out two matches and return to play in Round 7,” Marum said.
Nixon Put comes into the starting line up making way for Radley Brawa to likely make his debut this weekend off the bench to become Hunter No. 52.
“Radley has been the 18th man for two games even though he’s not really tall, he’s a strong forward, he runs hard, so if he can just do his job there for 10 to 20 minutes, things should be okay,” Marum said.
Second-rower David Loko, who has been ill since last week was not considered.
“Losing David is a major blow as well but his lost a bit of weight and he needs to get back to full health but we have cover in the squad,” Marum said.
Former Hunter Brandy Peter also started training with the team yesterday as Marum said he had been in close contact with the second-rower, and he was currently speaking with the PNGRFL management to get a contract.
The 18-man side  is scheduled to travel tomorrow however due to the Cyclone Debbie causing havoc in Queensland, Marum said they would be informed by the Queensland Rugby League on whether the match would be played or not.
Hunters: 1. Bland Abavu 2. Stargroth Amean 3. Israel Eliab 4. Willie Minoga 5. Karo Kauna Jr 6. Ase Boas (C) 7. Watson Boas 8. Henry Wan 9. Gahuna Silas 10. Esau Siune 11. Nixon Put 12. Moses Meninga 13. Stanton Albert; Reserves:  14. Noel Joel 15. Enoch Maki 16. Ishmael Balkawa 17. Radley Brawa 18. William Aquila 19. Paul Wawa 20. Butler Morris.