Simon keeps No.7 jersey

By JACK AMI
CHARLIE Simon has earned a second game in the No.7 jersey as the SP PNG Hunters head into Saturday’s round 24 fixture against the CQ Capras.
Simon came in for regular No.7 Watson Boas and gelled well with captain and five-eighth Ase Boas as the pair orchestrated a 40-16 win over Wynnum Manly.
Watson Boas, who came on in the final quarter last Sunday, has been named on an extended bench.
Centre Thompson Teteh returns to the Hunters left edge after missing the last round on disciplinary grounds.
Hard-running back-rower Willie Minoga was not included in the side after succumbing to a groin injury.
Hunters assistant coach Nigel Hukula said the team were looking forward to their final regular -season fixture at Browne Park in Rockhampton.
The Hunters need to win or draw the weekend’s match to guarantee their finals berth.
In other news, utility back Adex Wera is set to become the second player after Wartovo Puara Jr to play 100 games for the Hunters in the Intrust Super Cup when he runs out in the No.4 jersey.
Wera is Hunter number six and was a member of the pioneer Hunters team that played its first Q-Cup match against the Redcliffe Dolphins in March, 2014.
“We’ve got the usual minor niggling injuries across the team but everyone is expected to be ready to play by the end of the week,” Hukula said.
Hukula said they were impressed with how well the Ase Boas and Charlie Simon had combined last Sunday and put it down to their maturity and experience.
He added that the team had built up sufficient form and confidence over the last six weeks to be able to get the job done in their final and most important game.
“The boys have the shown maturity and applied themselves to the task working as a team and we’ve seen that over the last six or seven games,” Hukula said.
“We know the challenge ahead of us and we know what we have to do.
“Defence is the priority for us and we’re working to be at our best throughout games, especially towards to back end of games.”
Coach Michael Marum will finalise the travelling 18-man team today before the team leaves for Brisbane tomorrow.
The Capras-Hunters game kicks off at 6pm on Saturday and will be live on TVWAN Plus.
The Hunters return to Port Moresby on Sunday.
SP Hunters: 1. Edene Gabbie, 2. Junior Rau, 3. Thompson Teteh, 4. Adex Wera, 5. Brendon Gotuno, 6. Ase Boas (c), 7. Charlie Simon, 8. Enock Maki, 9. Wartovo Puara Jr, 10. Moses Meninga, 11. Nixon Put, 12. Rhadley Brawa, 13. Stanton Albert; Reserves: 14. Watson Boas, 15. Ila Alu, 16. McKenzie Yei, 17. Dilbert Isaac, 18. Butler Morris, 19. Sailas Gahuna, 20. Patrick Morea.