Rimbu primed

THE SP Hunters will promote another new face in its wave of rookies on Sunday when teenage playmaker Judah Rimbu moves into the starting line-up for their Queensland Intrust Super Cup (ISC) clash with Brisbane Tigers at Bycroft Oval (3pm kick-off).
The 19-year-old slots into a backline featuring 2021 new faces Jokadi Bire and Norman Brown while the likes of Samuel Yegip and Benji Kot are among the next generation in the forwards.
Most of the bench named for Sunday’s clash are also early in their Hunters’ careers.
They will face a Tigers team with a spine that could be Gerard Beale, Ryley Jacks, Darren Nicholls and Aaron Booth — a quartet of players with more National Rugby League (NRL) and ISC experience than the Hunters’ squad combined.
The rookies have served the Hunters well with their record of three wins and two losses pushing them into fourth place early in the season.
“We’ve seen in the NRL this season that some teams have been happy to name young players and let them show their strengths and we’ve taken a similar approach,” coach Matthew Church said.
“Our players are still learning but they’re bringing energy and they’re working well with our more experienced players to give us good options across the field. We’re coming up against a Tigers team that have plenty of experience.” Hunters: Terry Wapi, Junior Rau, Brandan Nima, Jokadi Bire, Norman Brown, Judah Rimbu, Charlie Simon, Epel Kapinias, Wartovo Puara Jr, Samuel Yegip, Benji Kot, Keven Appo, Ila Alu (captain); Interchange — Sylvester Namo, Emmanuel Waine, Mark Pitti, Jeffery Roberts. Tigers: Linc Port, Isaac Lumelume, Dan Russell, Marion Seve, Michael Purcell, Gerard Beale, Darren Nicholls, Aaron Pene, Aaron Booth, William Samuel, Mitch Frei, Ioane Seiuli, Bennett Leslie. Interchange – Brayden Torpy, Jordan Grant, Sam Lavea, Jack Svendsen.
Fixtures: Sat, May 8 — Wynnum Manly v Capras, Jets v Tweed Heads, Pride v Magpies; Sun, May 9 — Dolphins v Blackhawks, Falcons v Cutters, Devils v Bears, Hunters v Tigers.