Hunters duo wait on ruling

THE Papua New Guinea Hunters have named the same squad used against Sunshine Coast Falcons last round in preparation for this Friday’s Anzac Day clash against Burleigh Bears. 

 The South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Hunters beat the Falcons 16-­4 on Sunday at Stockland Stadium but two players, prop Timothy Lomai (Grade 2) and lock Dion Aiye (Grade 1), have been placed on report for dangerous tackles and await a judiciary ruling.   

 Under the Judiciary points system, if the coaching staff decide to take an early guilty plea, Aiye, pictured, will escape suspension and have a carry over of 94 points towards any future charges.  

 Lomai, however could face up to three weeks suspension depending on whether the club decides to fight or accept the charge.

The Hunters have called Edward Goma into camp with the team at Runaway Bay as a contingency pending the outcome of the judiciary hearing.

If Lomai is suspended, coach Michael Marum will be in a predicament having brought only two specialist props – Gonzella Urakusie being the other front-rower – for the two-game stay in Queensland.

Backrowers Brandy Peter and Willie Minoga could find themselves confined to the middle third of the field in the side’s next outing.

Due to the short turn around in between games the Hunters remain on the Gold Coast as they prepare for Friday’s game against the Burleigh Bears at Pizzey Park. Burleigh were stunned by Easts last weekend and are sure to come out desperate for a win in the Anzac Day clash.

The Hunters are in fourth place on 11 points and have the opportunity to push further up the Intrust Super Cup point’s table if they can snare a win on Friday.

Following Friday’s game at 3.30pm the SP Hunters take a week’s break for their Round 10 bye.

They return for the Round 11 game against Wynnum Manly on May 10 at Kalabond Oval, Kokopo.

Meanwhile, the club has received confirmation Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show will be producing a feature story on the Hunters for the clash in Kokopo. 

SP Hunters: 1 Adex Wera, 2 Garry Lo, 3 Thompson Teteh, 4 Albert Patak, 5 George Benson, 6 Israel Eliab (c), 7 Roger Laka, 8 Timothy Lomai, 9 Wartovo Puara, 10 Gonzela Urakusie, 11 David Loko, 12 Sebastian Pandia, 13 Dion Aiye. Reserves: 14 Noel Zeming, 15 Willie Minoga, 16 Lawrence Tu’u, 17 Adam Korave, 18 Edward Goma 19 Brandy Peter.