NFS to be a fortress

By PARKER TAMBUA
DESPITE losing two away matches this season, the SP Papua New Guinea Hunters are undefeated at home and will be out to maintain that record when they host the Redcliffe Dolphins tomorrow.
The Hostplus Cup round six fixture at the Santos National Football Stadium will see the Hunters looking to improve their standing from 10th into the top-eight with a win.
The Dolphins have won four matches including a 30-22 win over the Northern Pride last week and sit in second spot on the 15-team competition ladder.
Hunters coach Paul Aiton said this week that his side were strong at home and he wanted to building that record by making the NFS a fortress for his team.
Aiton said the Dolphins were a quality outfit with strike players in the backs and a gritty and experienced pack.
He said his side would continue to work on cleaning up their game and focus on defence and limiting the visitors’ opportunities.
“Defence has been the main area we’ve been focusing on throughout the preseason and we are still working on that,” Aiton said.
“The Dolphins want to win this game and we know that, but we are focusing on ourselves and where we want to improve on.
“We want to make our home ground a fortress in 2023 as well so we are looking forward to it.”
Aside from Aiton, senior player and Hunters winger Solo Wane said the SP Brewery-sponsored side had set a goal to win all their home games this season.
The former Wigmen shared the same sentiment with the team yearning to maintain a home-winning streak this season.
“The boys spoke about the goal we have and that is to win at least all our home games this season and we want to achieve that.”
Dolphins have a strong pack led by the two experienced-prop in Nathan Watts and Max Bailey who will certainly test their Hunters counterparts in the likes of Jordan Pat and Valentine Richard.
Another interesting match-up will be between Dolphins NRL centre Valynce Te Whare and Clent Lama. Te Whare, who at 108kg is one of the competition’s biggest centres, has played 12 games for the Dolphins in the NRL and is expected to be a handful for the home side on right edge.
The other notable inclusion in the Dolphins team is PNG player Steven Numambo who will be playing on the wing.
PNG Hunters: 1. Sanny Wabo 2. Brendon Nima 3. Clent Lama 4. Robert Matias 5. Solo Wane 6. Joshua Lau 7. Jamie Mavokok 8. Valentine Richard 9. Judah Rimbu 10. Jordan Pat 11. Whallan Tau-Loi 12. Benjamin Kelly 13. Ila Alu Interchange: 14. Finley Glare 15: Weiyah Koi 16. Koso Bandi 17. Alex Max
Redcliff Dolphins: 1. Zane Camroux 2.Steven Numambo 3. Blayden Dodd 4.Valynce Te Wahre 5.Cody Lawson 6.Latrell Siegwalt 7.Joshua James 8.Nathan Watts 9. Brent Woof 10.Max Baily 11.Aublix Tawha 12. Sheldon Pitama 13.Jaron Purcell. Interchange: 14.Jackson Frei 15.Ryan Jackson 16. Tray Lolesio 17.Harrison Graham