We need win, says Marum

By ISAAC LIRI
PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum cannot afford two things when his team take on the Redcliffe Dolphins on Sunday in a crucial Q-Cup match.
He cannot afford to lose if they are looking at repeating last season’s success or concentrate on just a few aspects of their game in front of team’s home fans.
“To get closer to the top six we need to win this week,” was his simple analysis of what was required.
“We did well last weekend in the second half with our line defence putting pressure and again we’ll have to do the same.
“The Dolphins are a different side, they always like to dominate in the middle so we’ll have to match them and control the ball well in order to get a good result in the end.
“Our best performance will come if we concentrate on all aspects of the game. That’s why we have our motto: one game at a time.”
This would be the second of their five consecutive home games which Marum wants in the bag to make the top six and win the title again.
Marum is confident his players can deliver after a morale-boosting 24-12 win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons last weekend and the key for them against the second placed Dolphins is their line defence.
He has not made changes to the team named on Tuesday but if there is a need for change, it will be done during the captain’s run tomorrow.
Marum is happy with forward Moses Meninga back in the starting line-up after his knee injury. Meninga was a member of the PNG Kumuls 2017 Rugby League World Cup and his experience is much needed at this stage of the competition.
“It’s good to have him back, he has been struggling a little with his fitness and he’s been very patient in his approach to recover, so he’ll be good.
“We need size in our forwards to rub shoulders with the Dolphins. We have one of the heaviest packs in the Q-Cup so having Moses combine with props like Enoch Maki and Stanton Alberts gives us that much-needed size in the first 13.
Marum also singled out halfback as a key figure in the win last weekend, with the kicking game and goal kicking becoming key aspects on the scoreboard.
“Since he took over the kicking duties from his older brother, he has been very good in our attack, he has been directing our game and he’ll be busy again this Sunday.
“His has also been doing a lot of practice with his goal-kicking and that’s resulted in some good goal-kicking over the last games and he will just have to back his good performances,” Marum said.
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.