Wapi ruled out for season

THE SP Hunters have lost fullback Terry Wapi for the rest of their Queensland Intrust Super Cup season just when they were set to field an unchanged squad for the first time this year against Central Queensland Capras in Rockhampton on Saturday (5pm kick-off).
Wapi left the field with a head knock after scoring two tries against Souths Logan Magpies on Sunday but a fractured finger was more troublesome, ruling him out of the remaining two games of the season.
With Norman Brown absent through injury, utility Edwin Ipape will wear the No.1 jersey at Browne Park after playing well in the final half-hour of Sunday’s 26-32 loss to the finals-bound Magpies.
Brandon Nima comes on to the bench in the only change in the squad to play the Capras, who have shown real fight in their matches this season despite sitting in last place.
The Hunters’ frustrating loss to the Magpies, who took the lead in the dying stages of last Sunday’s game, has not dimmed the team’s confidence and desire this weekend before they complete their season against fifth-placed Tweed Heads Seagulls the following weekend.
Six of the Hunters’ losses this season have been by 12 points or less.
Magpies skipper Rory Ferguson told Hunters coach Matthew Church after last Sunday’s game that the effort was the best he had seen from a Hunters outfit.
“We played some really good football and I was pretty pleased with the effort, which a coach doesn’t often say after conceding 32 points,” Church said.
“Four of their five tries came from kicks and outside that we were good defensively.
“So I think we can take some confidence out of that after more than a month without footy and we’ll travel to Rockhampton really determined to get the win.
“I was looking forward to being able to field the same side two weeks in a row for the first time but Terry’s injury was worse than what he first thought.
“But that brings an opportunity for Edwin who went well when he moved there last week.
“The enthusiasm and the spirit of the team could never be doubted and Sunday was another example where the effort and a lot of the execution were excellent but a little inexperience might have let us down.
“In time, that will get better.”
This is the first time this season the Hunters have met the Capras, who were beaten 12-36 by leaders Norths Devils on Sunday and have won one game and had two draws this year.
Hunters: Edwin Ipape, Junior Rau, Gilmo Paul, Emmanuel Waine, Solo Wane, Ase Boas, Charlie Simon, Stanton Albert, Wartovo Puara Jr, Enock Maki, Benji Kot, Epel Kapinias, Ila Alu (captain); Interchange — Brandon Nima, Samuel Yegip, Dilbert Isaac, Jordan Pat.