Morea available

Fullback nearly ready for starting team

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea SP Hunters fullback Morea Morea is finally available for selection after being sidelined with a knee injury he sustained during the Prime Minister’s 13 challenge in September.
Hunters’ coach Paul Aiton said that Morea is fit to play, but the No 1 will spend some time with the Dabaris before he can make his way into the starting side.
Morea played his first game after injury when he ran out with the Dabaris in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup round four match against Mt Hagen Eagles in Minj last week.
“Morea is back, he’s been cleared to play so we are all excited to have him back and available for selection,” Aiton said after the Hunters training session yesterday.
“He will make his way into the team when there’s an opportunity but for now he’s training well and he played for the Dabaris over the weekend.”
Though things are looking positive for Morea, Aiton warned that he has to strictly follow the doctor’s advice.
“Doctors have advised Morea not to play more than 60 minutes during a game so he has to do that. I think he played for under 60 minutes last week.”
Lae Tigers No 1 Sanny Wabo has been filling the gap and has performed well, scoring tries in almost every game.
Aiton might look to bring Morea from the bench but Finley Glare has also been outstanding at No 14. Apart from those options Aiton has for the fullback role, the former Penrith Panther is also having headaches in other positions such as centre and halves.
Last week, Alex Max scored a hat-trick in first game at centre which pleased Aiton. Now Aiton has to maintain Max at centre as Robert Mathias and Clent Lama have to wait on the extended bench.
Aiton said such selection headaches was healthy for his team as it showed that everyone was competing for spots.