Marum sticks with winning formula, three in doubt

 PAPUA New Guinea Hunters coach Michael Marum, pictured, has named an unchanged side for Sunday’s Round 21 Queensland Cup clash against the Easts Tigers.

It will be the last game at the Kalabond Oval in Kokopo.

The remaining two Hunters home games will played in Port Moresby with the Round 23 match against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls on August 16 at the Sir John Guise Stadium followed by the final Round 25 match against the Burleigh Bears on Aug 30. Marum was pleased with his players for holding out a fast-finishing Townsville Blackhawks 28-26, and will be expecting his men to put on a more domineering defensive effort against the in-form Tigers. 

He could lose three more players to injury and suspension with halfback Ase Boas being given until Saturday to overcome a left ankle injury.

Winger Adex Wera (dangerous throw) and Lawrence Tu’u (crusher tackle) were cited and face suspensions by the Q-Cup judiciary.

Marum said he was confident neither man would be sidelined and said Boas was cleared of any serious injury from the Blackhawks game.

While the competition leaders Blackhawks have been the form team of the competition, Easts, who one of the Melbourne Storm’s feeder clubs and last season’s losing grand finalists and are an equally strong side which has a vast amount of experience. The Hunters have a score to settle with Easts as the Round 3 game at the Tap Out Energy Stadium saw the Tigers run out victors 14-8.

The Tigers are coming off a comprehensive 56-22 victory over the Central Queensland Capras last round with three players – including former PNG internationals hooker Tommy Butterfield – collecting doubles in their 10 tries to four performance.

SP Hunters:1. Stargroth Amean, 2. Bland Abavu, 3. Noel Zeming, 4. Lawrence Tu’u, 5. Adex Wera, 6. Israel Eliab (c), 7. Ase Boas, 8. Enoch Maki, 9. Wartovo Puara, 10. Esau Siune, 11. Brandy Peter, 12. Kato Ottio, 13. Timothy Lomai; Interchange: 14. Adam Korave, 15. Atte Bina, 16. Willie Minoga, 17. Henry Wan, 18. Nickson Borana, 19. Roger Laka, 20. David Lapua, 21. Edward Goma, 22. David Lapua (five to be omitted).