Rau set to start

By ISAAC LIRI
PNG Hunters winger Junior Rau returns to the starting 13 to take on the Redcliffe Dolphins on Sunday at home after being ruled out for disciplinary reasons last weekend.
Discipline is a key component of the Hunters culture so Rau was penalised for one game by the club.
He watched from the sidelines as his teammates sweated but ended up victorious in beating the Sunshine Coast Falcons 24-12.
Sunday’s fixture is another crucial home game for the SP-sponsored side in their defence of the Q-Cup and the return of Rau on the wing is key considering his memorable debut with the PNG Kumuls two weeks ago where he scored two tries to help them upset a star-studded Fiji Bati side 26-14.
Hunter’s assistant coach Nigel Hukula said Rau’s return was significant based on his on performance in the previous rounds.
“It’s good to have Junior Rau back, he had a good debut with the PNG Kumuls two weeks ago in the Pacific Test after Nene Macdonald was ruled out,” Hukula said.
“It’s a plus to have someone like him back.
“He’s got a bit of experience at test level so hopefully he can back that up with some good performances with the Hunters.
“He’s been playing some great football lately so we’ll need that from him this weekend against the Dolphins.”
A positional change in the forwards will see Moses Meninga start at lock, pushing the hard-working Rhadley Brawa to the back row in place of Ila Alu, who sustained an ankle injury last Sunday.
“Moses has been out for a while due to a long-term knee injury, he made his return a couple of weeks back on the bench and it’s great to have him back in the starting line-up,” Hukula said.
“His inclusion is a bonus considering his experience and reputation in the forwards so it’s a plus to have him in the starting 13.
At fullback Edene Gabbie replaces Paul Wawa who played in the pivotal role last weekend in place of the regular Adex Wera who was suspended for two matches for a dangerous tackle. Wera will be allowed to play this weekend and is named on the bench.
Hukula said the second placed Dolphins were coming off a 50-18 win over Wynnum Manly and would be tough.
“We’ll have to back up our defensive effort from last week in order to contain them,” he said.
PNG Hunters: 1. Edene Gabbie 2. Junior Rau 3. Thompson Teteh 4. Willie Minoga 5. Brendan Gotuno 6. Ase Boas 7. Watson Boas 8. Enoch Maki 9. Wartovo Puara Jnr 10, Stanton Albert 11. Nixon Put 12. Rhadley Brawa 13. Moses Meninga Interchange: 14. Charlie Simon 15. Paul Wawa 16 Adex Wera 17. Dilbert Isaac 18. Baundo Aba 19.Butler Morris 20. William Mone.